A sterilization system and a control method thereof

Abstract

A sterilization system, comprising a pressure regulator, solenoid valves, an active oxygen module group, a cold cathode UV mercury lamp, a control center, sensors and UV-LED lamps, connected to the pressure regulator from the external water source direction, the pressure regulator is divided into two waterways, two waterways are connected to the first / second solenoid valve respectively, the first solenoid valve controls the waterway through the active oxygen module group, and the second solenoid valve controls the waterway bypassing the active oxygen module group, two waterways are connected to the cold cathode UV mercury lamp, the waterway passes through the water flow sensor and the bacteria sensor in turn and leads to the drinking water outlet and the drain respectively, the UV-LED lamp is arranged at the drinking water outlet and / or the drain, the control method of the sterilization system comprises using the sterilization system as described above, completing different operation programs, the operation programs include a flushing program and a sterilization program, the system uses different judgment standards to judge the system, and the specific cleaning process and program of the system are determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water purifier technology, and more particularly to a sterilization system for a water purifier and a control method for the system. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous improvement of living standards, water pollution has become increasingly serious. Obtaining safe and healthy drinking water has become a topic of concern for all sectors of society. Water purifiers are a common household appliance that filters and purifies the water entering homes from urban pipe networks, and more and more families are choosing to use them.

[0003] Drinking water health has received widespread attention in recent years. Water purifiers typically use a combination of activated carbon and reverse osmosis membranes to filter heavy metals, bacteria, disinfection byproducts, and other impurities from the water, ensuring drinking water safety. However, because water purifiers are not completely sealed, external bacteria can easily enter the pipes, leading to bacterial growth and exceeding the recommended total bacterial count in the purifier's output water. If a water purifier is not used for a long period, the bacterial count can increase exponentially. Upon restarting a purifier with excessive bacterial counts, the total bacterial count will immediately remain high, and without sterilization and disinfection measures, it will be impossible to effectively and automatically reduce the total bacterial count. To avoid this situation, a systematic sterilization method to ensure that the bacterial count in the water purifier system remains at a low level is essential.

[0004] Common water purifier sterilization methods include membrane filtration, ultraviolet sterilization, and antibacterial material sterilization. However, most of these methods only address spot sterilization and cannot solve the problem of bacterial proliferation in the water path between the end filter and the outlet after prolonged shutdown. Patent ZL202122195614.8 provides a method for sterilizing pure water pipelines, utilizing an active oxygen generator and ultraviolet lamps in combination to kill bacteria. However, this sterilization system lacks clear indicators and data to initiate sterilization commands, and it also lacks feedback on sterilization results to terminate the process. This results in a degree of randomness and uncertainty in the sterilization process, potentially leading to resource waste and incomplete sterilization. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses existing problems by proposing a precise disinfection index and functional algorithm. Different users can set target parameters according to their usage scenarios and needs. The system calculates the optimal disinfection strategy and controls the disinfection system to perform effective disinfection of pure water pipelines regularly and in real time. This achieves true customization, intelligence, and full automation, and provides real-time detection and feedback of results to clarify the disinfection effect. It ensures the safety of drinking water for different groups of people with different usage needs, and realizes a truly intelligent, fast, and safe healthy drinking water preparation solution.

[0006] A sterilization system includes a pressure regulator, a solenoid valve, an active oxygen module group, a cold cathode UV mercury lamp, a control center, sensors, and UV-LED lamps. The system is initially connected to the pressure regulator from an external water source. The pressure regulator is divided into two water paths, each connected to a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve controls the water path passing through the active oxygen module group, while the second solenoid valve controls the water path bypassing the active oxygen module group. The two water paths merge and connect to the cold cathode UV mercury lamp. The water paths sequentially pass through a water flow sensor and a bacteria sensor, leading to a drinking water outlet and a drain outlet, respectively. A UV-LED lamp is installed at the drinking water outlet and / or drain outlet. The pressure regulator, solenoid valve, active oxygen module group, cold cathode UV mercury lamp, sensors, and UV-LED lamps are all signal-connected to the control center and receive commands from the control center.

[0007] A third solenoid valve and a first UV-LED lamp are installed at the drinking water outlet. The water flows through the third solenoid valve and the first UV-LED lamp in sequence until it reaches the outlet.

[0008] A fourth solenoid valve and a second UV-LED lamp are installed sequentially at the drain outlet; The active oxygen module group includes a mineral-containing filter element and an active oxygen component.

[0009] The pressure regulator is either a pressure reducing valve or a pressure stabilizing valve. Its main function is to stabilize the water source pressure.

[0010] A method for controlling a sterilization system includes using the sterilization system described above to complete different operating procedures, the operating procedures including a rinsing procedure and a sterilization procedure, the system using different judgment criteria to judge the system and determine the specific cleaning process and procedure of the system; The rinsing procedure is based on parameters set by the user, such as the water flow rate V of the purified water product, the diameter D of the pure water pipeline, the pipe length L, and the pipe material. The system calculates the rinsing time using the following formula: The volume of water in the pipeline is Vt = π (D / 2)², Flushing water volume Q=K Vt At the same time, Q=V T We get T=Q / V Where: Vt is the water volume in the system; D is the diameter of the pure water pipeline; Q represents the flushing water volume; K is the flushing coefficient; T represents the rinsing time; V represents the outflow velocity; This allows for the precise calculation of the flushing time required for the entire system; where K is a constant range obtained through experience, typically ranging from K=1.5 to 5.

[0011] The system uses bacterial colony concentration C as the judgment criterion. The system judges the bacterial colony concentration by detecting it through the bacterial sensor. The bacterial colony concentration C in the pipeline needs to be detected by the bacterial sensor: when C < 500 CFU / ml, normal water production is performed; when 500 CFU / ml ≤ C ≤ 1000 CFU / ml, only the flushing program is started; when C > 1000 CFU / ml, both the sterilization program and the flushing program are started.

[0012] The system uses the machine's downtime as the judgment criterion. The system judges whether the machine has been stopped for more than 6 hours by detecting the water flow sensor. If so, the sterilization and flushing programs are started; otherwise, water is produced normally.

[0013] The sterilization process is as follows: the active oxygen module group is started to prepare active oxygen water, and the active oxygen water is used to flush the pipeline for sterilization.

[0014] The specific operation process of the sterilization program is as follows: the control center detects that the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds the standard through the bacterial sensor, and starts the sterilization program, and the water purification product produces water. The sterilization process is as follows: the bacterial concentration in the pipeline is detected by a bacterial sensor. When the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds 1000 CFU / ml, the sterilization process is started. The first solenoid valve of the water purification product opens, the second solenoid valve closes, and the active oxygen module group starts to produce active oxygen water. The third solenoid valve closes and the fourth solenoid valve opens, allowing the active oxygen water to flush the pipeline and discharge from the drain. After flushing the pipeline with active oxygen water, the fourth solenoid valve closes, allowing the pipeline to be filled with active oxygen water and then stopping water production. The active oxygen module group stops working and is left to stand.

[0015] After opening the fourth solenoid valve, drain the oxygenated water, and then open the second solenoid valve to produce water again. Close the first solenoid valve, close the third solenoid valve, and open the fourth solenoid valve. According to the flushing program, flush the downstream pipeline with water to ensure that there is no residual oxygenated water. At the same time, flush the pipeline again.

[0016] The specific process of the flushing procedure is as follows: the control center calculates the flushing time according to the various parameters set by the user. When the control center starts the flushing procedure, the second solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve is closed, the third solenoid valve is closed, the fourth solenoid valve is opened, the water purification product produces water, and the pipeline is flushed according to the time T obtained after the system calculation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sterilization system according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a sterilization control method based on the first judgment criterion of a sterilization system according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a sterilization control method based on the second judgment criterion of a sterilization system according to the present invention; 100. Any water purification product; 10. Pressure regulator; 20. First solenoid valve; 30. Second solenoid valve; 40. Active oxygen module group; 50. Cold cathode UV mercury lamp; 60. Control center; 71. Water flow sensor; 72. Bacterial sensor; 80. Drinking water outlet; 81. Third solenoid valve; 82. First UV-LED lamp; 90. Drain outlet; 91. Fourth solenoid valve; 92. Second UV-LED lamp. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0020] Example 1: Please refer to the attached document. Figure 1The illustration shows a sterilization system comprising: a pressure regulator 10, solenoid valves 20 / 30, an active oxygen module group 40, a cold cathode UV mercury lamp 50, a control center 60, a water flow sensor 71, a bacteria sensor 72, and a UV-LED lamp. The system is initially connected to the pressure regulator 10 from an external water source. The pressure regulator 10 is divided into two water paths, each connected to a first solenoid valve 20 and a second solenoid valve 30. The first solenoid valve 20 controls the water flow through the active oxygen module group 40, while the second solenoid valve 30... Two solenoid valves 30 control the water path that bypasses the active oxygen module group 40. The two water paths merge and connect to the cold cathode UV mercury lamp 50. The water path passes through the water flow sensor 71 and the bacteria sensor 72 in sequence, leading to the drinking water outlet 80 and the drain outlet 90 respectively. UV-LED lamps are installed at the drinking water outlet 80 and / or the drain outlet 90. The pressure regulator 10, solenoid valves, active oxygen module group 40, cold cathode UV mercury lamp 50, sensors and UV-LED lamps are all connected to the control center 60 and receive commands from the control center 60.

[0021] A third solenoid valve 81 and a first UV-LED lamp 82 are installed at the drinking water outlet 80. The water path passes through the third solenoid valve 81 and the first UV-LED lamp 82 in sequence until the drinking water outlet 80. A fourth solenoid valve 91 and a second UV-LED lamp 92 are sequentially installed at the drain outlet 90; The active oxygen module group 40 includes a mineral-containing filter element and an active oxygen component.

[0022] The pressure regulator 10 is a pressure reducing valve or a pressure stabilizing valve. The pressure regulator 10 mainly serves to stabilize the water source pressure.

[0023] The cold cathode UV mercury lamp 50 primarily serves to stably kill bacteria over a long period, ensuring low bacterial counts in the rinse water and preventing secondary contamination. The UV-LED lamps at the drinking and drain ends effectively prevent bacteria from entering the water system from the outside, while also ensuring that the total bacterial count in the drinking water remains at a low level. The cold cathode UV mercury lamp and the first / second UV-LED lamp operate in a constant-on mode.

[0024] Please refer to the attached document. Figure 2 The document illustrates a control method for a sterilization system, which includes using the sterilization system described above to complete different operating procedures. These operating procedures include a rinsing procedure and a sterilization procedure. The sterilization procedure requires the detection of bacterial colony concentration C in the pipeline using the bacterial sensor: when C < 20 CFU / ml, normal water production is performed; when 20 CFU / ml ≤ C ≤ 100 CFU / ml, the rinsing procedure is initiated; when C > 100 CFU / ml, the sterilization procedure is initiated. The rinsing procedure is based on the user-defined water purification product outlet flow rate V, pure water pipeline diameter D, and pipe length L. The system calculates the rinsing time using the following formula: The volume of water in the pipeline is Vt = π (D / 2)², Flushing water volume Q=K Vt At the same time, Q=V T We get T=Q / V Where: Vt is the water volume in the system; D is the diameter of the pure water pipeline; Q represents the flushing water volume; K is the flushing coefficient; T represents the rinsing time; V represents the outflow velocity; This allows for the precise calculation of the flushing time required for the entire system; where K is a constant range obtained through experience, typically ranging from K=1.5 to 5.

[0025] The sterilization process is as follows: the active oxygen module group is started to prepare active oxygen water, and the active oxygen water is used to flush the pipeline for sterilization.

[0026] The specific operation process of the sterilization program is as follows: the control center detects that the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds the standard through the bacterial sensor, and starts the sterilization program, and the water purification product produces water. The sterilization process is as follows: the bacterial concentration in the pipeline is detected by a bacterial sensor. When the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds 1000 CFU / ml, the sterilization process is started. The first solenoid valve of the water purification product opens 20, the second solenoid valve closes 30, and the active oxygen module group 40 starts to prepare active oxygen water. The third solenoid valve 81 closes and the fourth solenoid valve 91 opens to allow the active oxygen water to flush the pipeline and discharge from the drain outlet 90. After the active oxygen water has flushed the pipeline, the fourth solenoid valve 91 closes, the pipeline is filled with active oxygen water and water production stops. The active oxygen module group 40 stops working and is left to stand. After opening the fourth solenoid valve 91, drain the oxygenated water, and then open the second solenoid valve 30 to produce water again. Close the first solenoid valve 20, close the third solenoid valve 81, and open the fourth solenoid valve 91. According to the flushing program, flush the downstream pipeline with water to ensure that there is no residual oxygenated water. At the same time, flush the pipeline again.

[0027] Please refer to the attached document. Figure 3 The flowchart shows the control method of sterilization using the second judgment criterion. The distinguishing feature is that the judgment criterion used in the second method is the machine downtime. The system judges whether the machine has been stopped for more than 6 hours by detecting the water flow sensor. If so, the sterilization program and the flushing program are started; otherwise, normal water production is performed.

[0028] The specific process of the flushing procedure is as follows: the control center calculates the flushing time according to the various parameters set by the user. When the control center starts the flushing procedure, the second solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve is closed, the third solenoid valve is closed, the fourth solenoid valve is opened, the water purification product produces water, and the pipeline is flushed according to the time T obtained after the system calculation.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sterilization system, characterized in that, The water path passes through a pressure regulator (10), a first solenoid valve (20), a second solenoid valve (30), an oxygenation module group (40), a cold cathode UV mercury lamp (50), a control center (60), a water flow sensor (71), and a bacteria sensor (72). The water path is first connected to the pressure regulator (10) from the direction of the external water source. The first solenoid valve (20) controls the water path through the oxygenation module group (40), while the second solenoid valve (30) controls the water path that bypasses the oxygenation module group (40).

2. The sterilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that, After passing through the water flow sensor (71) and the bacteria sensor (72), the water path branches. One water path passes through the third solenoid valve (81) and the first UV-LED lamp (82) in sequence until the drinking water outlet (80); the other water path passes through the fourth solenoid valve (91), the second UV-LED lamp (92) and the drain outlet (90) in sequence.

3. The sterilization system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The active oxygen module group (40) includes a mineral-containing filter and an active oxygen component.

4. A control method for the sterilization system as described in claims 1-3, characterized in that, The control method includes a sterilization procedure; The sterilization process requires the bacterial colony concentration C in the pipeline to be detected by the bacterial sensor: when C < 20 CFU / ml, normal water production is performed; when 20 CFU / ml ≤ C ≤ 100 CFU / ml, the flushing process is started; when C > 100 CFU / ml, the sterilization process is started. The sterilization process includes: the first solenoid valve (20) is opened, the second solenoid valve (30) is closed, the active oxygen module group (40) is started, and active oxygen water is prepared; the third solenoid valve (81) is closed, the fourth solenoid valve (91) is opened, allowing the active oxygen water to flush the pipeline and discharge from the drain outlet (90); after the active oxygen water flushes the pipeline, the fourth solenoid valve (91) is closed, allowing the pipeline to be filled with active oxygen water and then stopping water production; the active oxygen module group (40) stops working and stands still. After opening the fourth solenoid valve (91), the oxygenated water is drained. To make water again, the second solenoid valve (30) is opened, the first solenoid valve (20) is closed, the third solenoid valve (81) is closed, and the fourth solenoid valve (91) is opened. The back-end pipeline is flushed with water according to the flushing program setting to ensure that there is no residual oxygenated water. At the same time, the pipeline is flushed again.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rinsing procedure includes calculating the rinsing time based on the user-defined water purification product outlet flow rate V, pure water pipeline diameter D, pipe length L, and pipe material, using the following formula: The volume of water in the pipeline is Vt = π (D / 2)², Flushing water volume Q=K Vt At the same time, Q=V T We get T=Q / V Where: Vt is the water volume in the system, D is the diameter of the pure water pipeline, Q is the flushing water volume, K is the flushing coefficient, T is the flushing time, and V is the outflow velocity; the general range of K is: K=1.5~5.

6. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sterilization system uses the machine's downtime as the judgment criterion. The judgment is made by detecting the water flow sensor results: if the machine has been stopped for more than 6 hours, the sterilization and rinsing programs are started; otherwise, water is produced normally.

7. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sterilization process includes starting the active oxygen module group to prepare active oxygen water, and using the active oxygen water to flush the pipeline for sterilization.

8. The control method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The specific process of the flushing procedure is as follows: the control center calculates the flushing time according to the various parameters set by the user. When the control center starts the flushing procedure, the second solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve is closed, the third solenoid valve is closed, the fourth solenoid valve is opened, the water purification product produces water, and the pipeline is flushed according to the time T obtained after the system calculation.

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