Water dispenser

Abstract

A water dispenser comprising a filtering device, an inlet pipe, a water pump and a controller. The filtering device provided with a filter element group, a water inlet and a water outlet. The filter element group is used to filter raw water and is provided with at least one filter element. The water inlet allows raw water to enter the filter element group, and the water outlet is used to output filtered water. The inlet pipe with a pipe joint, a first raw water pipe, a second raw water pipe and a water inlet pipe. The first raw water pipe, the second raw water pipe and the water inlet pipe are respectively connected to the pipe joint. The water inlet pipe is connected to the water inlet. The water pump is located in the second raw water pipe. The controller is electrically connected to the water pump and used to control the opening or closing of the water pump. In this way, the water dispenser can be used not only indoors, but also for filtering outdoor water sources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention is primarily a drinking water maker, and more particularly, a drinking water maker for filtering raw water so that it can be consumed directly. Prior Technology

[0002] Tap water is used for washing, cleaning, and drinking in daily life. Therefore, the water quality of tap water must be of a certain degree. Since drinking water goes directly into the human body, the requirements for water quality are even more stringent. Therefore, the general public usually chooses to install water filters to filter tap water. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, existing water filters use tap water stored in water towers as their water source, making them suitable only for home use and not for outdoor use. Therefore, existing water filters have a limited range of applications.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a drinking water maker that can be used not only indoors, but also to filter outdoor water sources for direct drinking.

[0005] A secondary objective of this invention is to provide a beverage maker that eliminates the need for at least one filter element.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a drinking water machine that can adjust the ultraviolet sterilization time according to the number of microorganisms in the water source.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a drinking water machine, comprising: a filtration device having a filter element assembly, a water inlet, and a water outlet, the filter element assembly being used to filter raw water and having at least one filter element, the water inlet supplying raw water to the filter element assembly, and the water outlet supplying filtered water for output; a water inlet fitting having a pipe connector, and a first raw water pipe, a second raw water pipe, and a water inlet pipe connected to the pipe connector, the water inlet pipe being connected to the water inlet; a water pump located on the second raw water pipe; and a controller electrically connected to the water pump and used to control the opening or closing of the water pump.

[0008] In some embodiments, the filter cartridge assembly has eight filter cartridges, including: a first filter cartridge is a PP filter cotton filter cartridge, a second filter cartridge is a resin soft water filter cartridge, a third filter cartridge is a granular activated carbon filter cartridge, a fourth filter cartridge is a resin soft water filter cartridge, a fifth filter cartridge is a hollow fiber membrane filter cartridge, a sixth filter cartridge is a granular activated carbon filter cartridge, a seventh filter cartridge is a pH alkaline filter cartridge, and an eighth filter cartridge is a bamboo charcoal filter cartridge.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second raw water pipe is a telescopic pipe, and a filter is provided at one end of the second raw water pipe not connected to the pipe fitting.

[0010] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser of the present invention further includes a bypass pipe, which has a first bypass pipe, a second bypass pipe, and a second switching valve. The first bypass pipe and the second bypass pipe are respectively connected to the second switching valve. The filter cartridge group has a plurality of filter cartridges, and a first switching valve is provided between two adjacent filter cartridges. One end of the first bypass pipe that is not connected to the second switching valve is connected to one of the first switching valves, and one end of the second bypass pipe that is not connected to the second switching valve is connected to another of the first switching valves. The controller is electrically connected to the first switching valves and the second switching valves and is used to control the switching of the first switching valves and the second switching valves between the blocking state and the connecting state.

[0011] In some embodiments, the filtration device further includes an ultraviolet sterilizer located between the filter assembly and the outlet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the drinking water machine of the present invention further includes a cold light instrument electrically connected to the controller and used to detect and obtain a microbial count. A third switching valve is provided between the ultraviolet sterilizer and the water outlet, electrically connected to the controller. The controller controls the length of time the third switching valve is closed according to the number of microbial counts.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cold light instrument is located on the second raw water pipe.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cold light device is located between the filter assembly and the ultraviolet sterilizer.

[0015] The drinking water dispenser of the present invention has the following characteristics: it can filter a first water source flowing in through a first raw water pipe, and it can also filter a second water source flowing in through a second raw water pipe. The first water source can be tap water from indoors, and the second water source can be spring water or lake water from outdoors. The filtered water produced by the filter assembly is directly drinkable. Therefore, the drinking water dispenser of the present invention can be used both indoors and outdoors, thus expanding its application range. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] [Figure 1] is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the beverage maker of the present invention. [Figure 2] is a perspective view of the second raw water pipe of the first embodiment of the drinking water machine of the present invention. [Figure 3] is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the beverage maker of the present invention. [Figure 4] is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the beverage maker of the present invention. Implementation

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are mainly simplified schematic diagrams, which are only used to illustrate the basic structure of the present invention. Therefore, only the elements related to the present invention are marked in these drawings, and the elements shown are not drawn according to the number, shape, size ratio, etc. of the implementation. The actual specifications and dimensions of the implementation are a selective design, and the layout of the elements may be more complex.

[0018] The following descriptions of the embodiments are with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Directional terms used in this invention, such as "up," "down," "front," and "back," are merely directional references to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustration and understanding of this application, and not for limiting this application. Furthermore, in this specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word "comprising" will be understood to mean including the stated elements, but not excluding any other elements.

[0019] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the drinking water machine 10 of the present invention. It includes: a filter device 1, a water inlet pipe 2, a water pump 3 and a controller 4, wherein the water inlet pipe 2 is connected to the filter device 1, the water pump 3 is disposed on the water inlet pipe 2, and the controller 4 is electrically connected to the water pump 3.

[0020] The filtration device 1 includes a filter element assembly 11, an inlet 12, and an outlet 13. The filter element assembly 11 is used to filter raw water and has at least one filter element. The inlet 12 supplies raw water to the filter element assembly 11, and the outlet 13 supplies filtered water. When the filter element assembly 11 has a plurality of filter elements, the filter elements are connected in series, with the first filter element connected to the inlet 12 and the last filter element connected to the outlet 13.

[0021] In one embodiment, the filter assembly 11 may have eight filter elements, including: a first filter element 11a for filtering suspended matter, silt, hair, and impurities with a size larger than micrometers, such as a PP filter cotton filter element; a second filter element 11b for filtering impurities and sludge in silty water, softening the water, and removing calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and calcium silicate from the water, such as a resin water softener filter element; a third filter element 11c for removing chloroform, chlorine, and heavy metals from the water, such as a granular activated carbon filter element; and a fourth filter element 11d for softening the water and removing... The first filter element contains calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and calcium silicate, and can be a resin water softener. The fifth filter element 11e is used to filter viruses, colloids, and large organic molecules smaller than micrometers, and can be a hollow fiber membrane filter. The sixth filter element 11f is used to remove trihalomethanes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and some heavy metals from the water, and can be a granular activated carbon filter. The seventh filter element 11g is used to increase trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as various minerals in the water, and can be a pH alkaline filter. The eighth filter element 11h is used for deodorization and decolorization, and can be a bamboo charcoal filter.

[0022] In one embodiment, the filtration device 1 may further include an ultraviolet sterilizer 14 located between the filter assembly 11 and the outlet 13. Specifically, the filtered water produced after filtration by the filter assembly 11 is sterilized by the ultraviolet sterilizer 14 before being introduced to the outside through the outlet 13. The ultraviolet sterilizer 14 may be implemented using a deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UVC-LED), whose emitted ultraviolet wavelength is between 100 nm and 280 nm, but is not limited thereto.

[0023] The water inlet fitting 2 has a pipe connector 21, and a first raw water pipe 22, a second raw water pipe 23 and an inlet pipe 24 connected to the pipe connector 21. The inlet pipe 24 is connected to the water inlet 12. In this embodiment, the pipe connector 21 can be a three-way connector or a three-way solenoid valve. The first raw water pipe 22 supplies a first water source, and the second raw water pipe 23 supplies a second water source. The number of bacteria in the first water source is greater than the number of bacteria in the second water source. For example, but not limited to, the first water source can be tap water, and the second water source can be spring water or lake water.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2, the second raw water pipe 23 can be a telescopic pipe. Preferably, a filter 25 is provided at one end of the second raw water pipe 23 that is not connected to the pipe joint 21. The filter 25 is used to intercept objects such as leaves and stones. In this embodiment, the filter 25 can be a filter screen.

[0025] The water pump 3 is installed in the second raw water pipe 23. In this embodiment, the water pump 3 can be a submersible motor.

[0026] The controller 4 is electrically connected to the pipe connector 21 and the water pump 3, and is used to control the opening and closing of the water pump 3. In this embodiment, the controller 4 can be a microcontroller. It is worth mentioning that when the pipe connector 21 is a three-way solenoid valve, the controller 4 can control the opening of the pipe connector 21 to allow both the first water source and the second water source to flow into the inlet pipe 24, or control the opening of the pipe connector 21 to allow only one of the first water source or the second water source to flow into the inlet pipe 24.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 3, which shows a second embodiment of the beverage dispenser 10 of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment, the filter assembly 11 has a plurality of filter elements, and a first switching valve 15 can be provided between two adjacent filter elements. The first switching valve 15 is used to open or close the connection between the two adjacent filter elements. In this embodiment, the first switching valve 15 can be a three-way solenoid valve. It is worth mentioning that when the filter device 1 also has an ultraviolet sterilizer 14, the first switching valve 15 can also be provided between the ultraviolet sterilizer 14 and the adjacent filter element.

[0028] The beverage dispenser 10 also includes a bypass pipe 26, comprising a first bypass pipe 261, a second bypass pipe 262, and a second switching valve 263. The first bypass pipe 261 and the second bypass pipe 262 are respectively connected to the second switching valve 263. The second switching valve 263 is used to open or close the connection between the first bypass pipe 261 and the second bypass pipe 262. In this embodiment, the second switching valve 263 can be a two-way solenoid valve. One end of the first bypass pipe 261 not connected to the second switching valve 263 is connected to one of the first switching valves 15, and one end of the second bypass pipe 262 not connected to the second switching valve 263 is connected to the other first switching valve 15.

[0029] For example, assuming that the filtration effect of the aforementioned eighth filter element 11h is to be excluded, the first bypass pipe 261 is not connected to one end of the second switching valve 263, but can be connected to the first switching valve 15 between the aforementioned seventh filter element 11g and the aforementioned eighth filter element 11h, and the second bypass pipe 262 is not connected to one end of the second switching valve 263, but can be connected to the first switching valve 15 between the aforementioned eighth filter element 11h and the ultraviolet sterilizer 14.

[0030] The controller 4 is electrically connected to the first switching valves 15 and the second switching valve 263, and is used to control the switching of the first switching valves 15 and the second switching valve 263 between the blocking state and the connecting state.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 4, which is the third embodiment of the drinking water machine 10 of the present invention. Compared with the first and second embodiments, a third switching valve 16 can be provided between the ultraviolet sterilizer 14 and the water outlet 13, which is electrically connected to the controller 4. In this embodiment, the third switching valve 16 can be a double-pass solenoid valve.

[0032] The drinking water machine 10 also has a cold light instrument 5, which is electrically connected to the controller 4. The cold light instrument 5 can be installed in the second raw water pipe 23 or between the filter group 11 and the ultraviolet sterilizer 14, and is used to detect and obtain a microbial count. In this embodiment, the cold light instrument 5 can be an ATP cold light instrument.

[0033] The controller 4 controls the duration of closure of the third switching valve 16 based on the number of microorganisms, thereby extending the sterilization time of the ultraviolet sterilizer 14 for the filtered water.

[0034] For example, when the number of microorganisms is below 100 (CFU / mL), the controller 4 can control the third switching valve 16 to remain in the connected state (i.e., the closing time is set to 0). Conversely, when the number of microorganisms is above 100 (CFU / mL), the controller 4 can control the third switching valve 16 to remain in the blocked state for a period of time before controlling the third switching valve 16 to switch to the connected state (i.e., the closing time is set to non-zero). The setting of this period of time can be determined based on the number of microorganisms and the sterilization capacity of the ultraviolet sterilizer 14 per unit time, which is common knowledge in the relevant field of this invention and will not be elaborated further here.

[0035] As described above, the drinking water purifier of the present invention can filter a first water source flowing in through the first raw water pipe, and can also filter a second water source flowing in through the second raw water pipe. The first water source can be tap water from indoors, and the second water source can be spring water or lake water from outdoors. The filtered water produced by the filter assembly is directly drinkable. Therefore, the drinking water purifier of the present invention can be used both indoors and outdoors, thus expanding its application range.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative of the principles, features, and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may modify and alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made using the content disclosed in this invention shall still be covered by the following patent application scope.

[0037] 1: Filtration device 11: Filter cartridge 11a: First filter element 11b: Second filter element 11c: Third filter element 11d: Fourth filter 11e: The fifth filter 11f: The Sixth Filter 11g: Seventh filter 11h: Eighth filter 12: Inlet 13: Water outlet 14: Ultraviolet sterilizer 15: First switching valve 16: Third switching valve 2: Water inlet pipe fittings 21: Pipe fitting 22: First raw water pipe 23: Second raw water pipe 24: Water inlet pipe 25: Filter 26: Bypass fittings 261: First bypass pipe 262: Second bypass pipe 263: Second switching valve 3: Water pump 4: Controller 5: Cold light instrument 10: Fresh water dispenser

Claims

1. A water dispenser, comprising: A filtration device includes a filter cartridge assembly, an inlet, an outlet, and an ultraviolet sterilizer. The filter cartridge assembly is used to filter raw water and has at least one filter element. The inlet supplies raw water to the filter cartridge assembly, and the outlet supplies filtered water. The ultraviolet sterilizer is located between the filter cartridge assembly and the outlet, and a third switching valve is provided between the ultraviolet sterilizer and the outlet. A water inlet fitting includes a pipe connector, a first raw water pipe, a second raw water pipe, and an inlet pipe connected to the pipe connector. The inlet pipe is connected to the inlet. A water pump is located on the second raw water pipe. A cryoluminometer is used to detect and obtain a microbial count. A controller is electrically connected to the ultraviolet sterilizer, the third switching valve, the water pump, and the cryoluminometer, and is used to control the opening and closing of the water pump and to control the duration of closure of the third switching valve based on the microbial count.

2. The beverage dispenser as described in claim 1, wherein, The filter set has eight filter elements, including: the first filter element is a PP filter cotton filter element, the second filter element is a resin soft water filter element, the third filter element is a granular activated carbon filter element, the fourth filter element is a resin soft water filter element, the fifth filter element is a hollow fiber membrane filter element, the sixth filter element is a granular activated carbon filter element, the seventh filter element is a pH alkaline filter element, and the eighth filter element is a bamboo charcoal filter element.

3. The beverage dispenser as described in claim 1, wherein, The second raw water pipe is a telescopic pipe, and a filter is provided at one end of the second raw water pipe that is not connected to the pipe joint.

4. The beverage maker as described in claim 1 further includes a bypass pipe fitting having a first bypass pipe, a second bypass pipe, and a second switching valve. The first bypass pipe and the second bypass pipe are respectively connected to the second switching valve. The filter cartridge assembly has a plurality of filter cartridges, and a first switching valve is provided between two adjacent filter cartridges. One end of the first bypass pipe not connected to the second switching valve is connected to one of the first switching valves, and one end of the second bypass pipe not connected to the second switching valve is connected to another of the first switching valves. The controller is electrically connected to the first switching valves and the second switching valves and is used to control the switching of the first switching valves and the second switching valves between a blocking state and a connecting state.

5. The beverage dispenser as described in claim 1, wherein, The cold light instrument is installed in the second raw water pipe.

6. The beverage dispenser as described in claim 1, wherein, The cold light instrument is located between the filter assembly and the ultraviolet sterilizer.

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