water purifier

Abstract

A water purifier, the water purifier comprising: a filter portion having a reverse osmosis membrane filter for generating purified water; a supply valve capable of being opened or closed to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter; an instantaneous heating device having a water inlet for supplying purified water filtered by the filter portion and a water outlet for heating and discharging the purified water, the instantaneous heating device heating the purified water flowing from the water inlet to the water outlet so that hot water can be discharged through the water outlet; a water intake member provided for extracting the hot water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a supply pump for supplying the purified water to the instantaneous heating device; a water outlet for heating ... The instantaneous heating device operates by providing purified water at the water inlet; a domestic water drain pipe for discharging domestic water that has not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter; a hot water drain pipe for discharging drainage water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a hot water drain valve located in the hot water drain pipe for opening or closing the hot water drain pipe; and a control unit for controlling the opening or closing of the flow path between the hot water drain pipe and the domestic water drain pipe so that the hot water drain process is performed preferentially between the hot water drain process through the hot water drain pipe and the domestic water drain process through the domestic water drain pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water purifier with an instantaneous heating device, and more particularly, to a water purifier that generates purified water through a reverse osmosis membrane filter and generates hot water through an instantaneous heating device. Background Art

[0002] A water purifier is a device that produces purified water by filtering raw water through a filter unit consisting of multiple filters. Water purifiers not only provide users with purified water at room temperature, but also provide hot and / or cold water. Recently, ice-making water purifiers that combine water purification and ice-making functions are also becoming popular.

[0003] This type of water purifier can achieve desired filtering performance by using various filters provided in the filter unit.

[0004] For example, a high-filtration reverse osmosis membrane filter (RO filter) can be installed in the filter unit. This reverse osmosis membrane filter filters raw water by reverse osmosis pressure, and domestic water (concentrated water, wastewater) that does not pass through the reverse osmosis membrane is discharged to the outside through a drain pipe.

[0005] On the other hand, the water purifier can use a hot water tank for storing purified water in a heated state to provide hot water, but recently instantaneous heating devices (rapid heating devices) have been widely used, that is, when the user inputs a hot water extraction signal, heating is performed in the process of the purified water flowing in from the inlet and being discharged through the outlet, so that hot water can be provided to the user.

[0006] When a hot water extraction signal is input, the instantaneous heating device heats the water using the heater. When the instantaneous heating device is activated after the hot water extraction signal is input, the water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device is at a relatively low temperature. Therefore, the initially discharged water (discharge water, waste water) is discharged according to preset conditions (e.g., based on a preset flow rate or a preset time). Furthermore, after the hot water extraction is completed, the high-temperature water (discharge water, waste water) remaining in the instantaneous heating device can also be discharged.

[0007] On the other hand, when both a reverse osmosis membrane filter and an instantaneous heating device are provided, the domestic water that has not passed through the reverse osmosis membrane filter is discharged through the domestic water drain pipe, while the drainage water (wastewater) discharged from the instantaneous heating device is discharged through the hot water drain pipe. In this case, in order to facilitate the connection of the various drain pipes to the final drainage destination (such as sewer) and reduce the number of drain pipes and installation costs, the various drain pipes (e.g., the domestic water drain pipe and the hot water drain pipe) can be connected to a single drain pipe.

[0008] Although the installation standard of this drain pipe depends on the design specifications of the water purifier, it has a relatively long length (eg, 25 m) and a high installation height (eg, 3 m).

[0009] Furthermore, the drain pipe is installed in a twisted or bent state not only inside the water purifier but also outside the water purifier. In this case, poor drainage (drainage failure) in which drainage cannot be performed often occurs due to increased flow resistance caused by the excessive length of the drain pipe and pressure loss caused by the height difference.

[0010] In particular, when domestic water and hot water drainage need to be performed simultaneously, the amount of drainage water (wastewater) to be discharged increases, leading to drainage failures in the domestic water and hot water drain pipes, where only the high-pressure drain pipe is drained, while the low-pressure drain pipe is unable to drain. For example, when hot water drainage is performed while domestic water is being drained, if the hot water drainage pressure is lower than that of the domestic water drainage, hot water drainage cannot be performed. Conversely, if the hot water drainage pressure is higher than that of the domestic water drainage, domestic water drainage cannot be performed. For reference, the domestic water drainage pressure is determined by the entire drainage pipe length from the reverse osmosis membrane filter to the final discharge point of the domestic water (the end of the drainage pipe), the flow resistance within the drainage pipe, the height difference, and other factors.

[0011] As described above, when a hot water extraction signal is input and the instantaneous heating device is activated, the water discharged from the instantaneous heating device will be discharged according to a preset condition (e.g., a preset flow rate). However, if hot water discharge is not performed (e.g., when domestic water and hot water are being drained simultaneously, when the discharge pressure of the hot water drain is lower than the discharge pressure of the domestic water drain), since the flow rate of water flowing into the instantaneous heating device does not reach the preset flow rate, the water contained in the instantaneous heating device will continue to be heated without hot water being extracted, resulting in an overheating state. To cope with this overheating state, the instantaneous heating device has a safety valve that is used to discharge steam when a preset pressure is reached. However, if the safety valve is damaged or malfunctions, a serious accident may occur in which the instantaneous heating device explodes due to the failure to activate the safety valve, and even if the safety valve is functioning properly, there is a problem of not being able to extract hot water.

[0012] On the other hand, if domestic water cannot be discharged, there is a problem that the filtration performance of the reverse osmosis membrane filter deteriorates.

[0013] On the other hand, the drainage water (waste water) generated from the internal components of the water purifier (for example, an ice storage tank or an instantaneous heating device, etc.) can also be temporarily contained in a drainage tank, and when the water level in the drainage tank reaches a predetermined water level (for example, a full water level), the drainage water contained in the drainage tank is discharged through a drain pipe.

[0014] As described above, when the discharge of hot water from the instantaneous heating device, the discharge of domestic water through the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and the drain water contained in the drain tank are combined, problems may frequently arise due to the instantaneous heating device failing to discharge the drain water. Furthermore, if the drain water contained in the drain tank is not discharged, the drain water may continue to be supplied to the drain tank, causing overflow, which may lead to safety accidents such as electric shock or fire. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0016] The present invention is proposed to solve at least some of the problems of the above-mentioned prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that can stably and smoothly drain various waste waters such as domestic water.

[0017] Furthermore, as one aspect of the present invention, an object is to provide a water purifier capable of preventing an instantaneous heating device from exploding or failing to discharge hot water due to poor drainage of drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that can prevent overflow of a drainage tank due to poor drainage of drainage water from the drainage tank and safety accidents such as electric shock or fire caused by the overflow.

[0019] Means used to solve problems

[0020] As one aspect for achieving the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a water purifier, the water purifier comprising: a filter portion having a reverse osmosis membrane filter for generating purified water; a supply valve, the supply valve being capable of being opened or closed so as to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter; an instantaneous heating device having a water inlet for supplying purified water filtered by the filter portion and a water outlet for heating and discharging purified water, the instantaneous heating device heating purified water flowing from the water inlet to the water outlet and discharging hot water through the water outlet; a water intake member provided for extracting hot water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a supply valve; a feed pump that operates to supply clean water to the water inlet of the instantaneous heating device; a domestic water drain pipe that is used to discharge domestic water that has not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter; a hot water drain pipe that is used to drain drainage water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a hot water drain valve located in the hot water drain pipe that is used to open or close the hot water drain pipe; and a control unit that controls the opening or closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain pipe and the domestic water drain pipe so that the hot water drain process is performed preferentially between the hot water drain process through the hot water drain pipe and the domestic water drain process through the domestic water drain pipe.

[0021] When a hot water drain signal is input to drain drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain pipe, the control unit may execute the hot water drain process by opening the hot water drain valve and closing the supply valve.

[0022] Furthermore, when the hot water discharge signal is input while the supply valve is open, the control unit may execute the hot water discharge process by opening the hot water discharge valve and closing the supply valve. After the hot water discharge process is completed, the control unit may execute the domestic water discharge process by reopening the supply valve. When the hot water discharge signal is input while the supply valve is closed, the control unit may execute the hot water discharge process by opening the hot water discharge valve and maintain the supply valve in a closed state.

[0023] In addition, when the hot water discharge signal is input, the control part may supply clean water to the water inlet by driving the supply pump.

[0024] At this time, the hot water discharge signal may include at least one of an initial discharge signal and a final discharge signal. The initial discharge signal is a signal for discharging the clean water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device through the hot water discharge pipe according to a preset first discharge condition as the hot water extraction signal is input. The final discharge signal is a signal for discharging the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device through the hot water discharge pipe according to a preset second discharge condition as the hot water extraction end signal is input.

[0025] On the other hand, the water purifier according to one aspect of the present invention further includes: a drain tank for storing drain water generated inside the water purifier; a drain tank drain pipe for draining the drain water contained in the drain tank; and a drain pump located in the drain tank drain pipe, which operates to drain the drain water contained in the drain tank, wherein the control unit can control the opening or closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain pipe, the domestic water drain pipe and the drain tank drain pipe, so as to give priority to the draining work in the hot water drain process, the domestic water drain process and the drain tank drain process through the drain tank drain pipe in the order of the hot water drain process, the drain tank drain process and the domestic water drain process.

[0026] Furthermore, when a hot water drain signal is input to discharge the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain pipe, the control unit can open the hot water drain valve so that the drain pump does not operate, and close the supply valve to execute the hot water drain process. When a drain tank drain signal is input to discharge the drain water contained in the drain tank through the drain tank drain pipe, when the hot water drain process is in progress, the control unit can drive the drain pump to execute the drain tank drain process after the hot water drain process is completed. When the hot water drain process is not in progress, the control unit can execute the drain tank drain process by driving the drain pump and closing the supply valve.

[0027] In addition, when the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, the control unit opens the hot water drain valve and closes the supply valve to execute the hot water drain process. After the hot water drain process is completed, the control unit reopens the supply valve to execute the domestic water drain process. When the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, the control unit drives the drain pump and closes the supply valve to execute the drain tank drain process. After the drain tank drain process is completed, the control unit reopens the supply valve to execute the domestic water drain process. When the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed, the control unit opens the hot water drain valve to execute the hot water drain process and maintains the supply valve in a closed state. When the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed, the control unit drives the drain pump and maintains the supply valve in a closed state to execute the drain tank drain process.

[0028] On the other hand, the drainage tank may store the drainage water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device after a hot water extraction signal is input.

[0029] Furthermore, the water purifier according to one aspect of the present invention further includes: an ice making unit for generating ice cubes using the purified water filtered in the filter unit; and an ice storage tank for storing ice cubes generated in the ice making unit, and the drainage tank can store drainage water discharged from the ice storage tank.

[0030] Effects of the Invention

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention having these structures, the draining of various drain waters is not performed simultaneously, but is performed sequentially according to a preset order, thereby achieving a stable and smooth draining effect.

[0032] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the drainage of the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device is controlled as the highest priority, thereby preventing the instantaneous heating device from exploding (exploding) or failing to discharge hot water due to poor drainage of the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device.

[0033] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge of drainage water discharged from the drainage tank is controlled to have priority over the discharge of domestic water, thereby preventing water overflow from the drainage tank due to poor drainage of the drainage water from the drainage tank and safety accidents such as electric shock or fire caused thereby. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing water pipes of a water purifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 It is shown in Figure 1 The water pipe diagram shown is for the water purifier during raw water filtration and clean water / cold water extraction.

[0036] Figure 3 It is shown from Figure 1 The water pipe diagram shown shows the water flow when the water purifier extracts hot water.

[0037] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The water pipe diagram shown shows the water flow when the water purifier is making ice.

[0038] Figure 5 is used to describe Figure 1 The water pipe diagram shows the priority of the domestic water discharge process and hot water discharge process of the water purifier.

[0039] Figure 6 1 is a schematic water pipe diagram showing a water purifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 6 The water pipe diagram shown is for the water purifier during raw water filtration and clean water / cold water extraction.

[0041] Figure 8 It is shown from Figure 6 The water pipe diagram shown shows the water flow when the water purifier extracts hot water.

[0042] Figure 9 It shows Figure 6 The water pipe diagram of the water purifier shown is when making ice.

[0043] Figure 10 Is showing the inflow Figure 6A water pipe diagram showing the flow of drain water in a drain tank of a water purifier and the flow of drain water discharged from the drain tank.

[0044] Figure 11 is used to describe Figure 6 The water pipe diagram shows the priority order of the domestic water discharge process, hot water discharge process, and drain tank discharge process of the water purifier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention may be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully describe the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, the shapes and sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for a clearer description.

[0046] In addition, in this specification, unless the context clearly has a different meaning, a singular form also includes a plural form, and the same drawing marks designate the same or corresponding elements throughout the specification.

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] First, refer to Figures 1 to 5 A water purifier 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0049] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing a water pipe of a water purifier 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is shown in Figure 1 The water pipe diagram of the water purifier 100 shown in FIG. Figure 3 It is shown from Figure 1 The water pipe diagram of the water purifier 100 when extracting hot water is shown. Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The water pipe diagram of the water purifier 100 when making ice is shown. Figure 5 is used to describe Figure 1 The domestic water discharge process of the water purifier 100 shown in FIG. Figure 5 ②) and hot water discharge process ( Figure 5 The water pipe diagram with the priority of ①).

[0050] Reference Figure 1The water purifier 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a filter part 110, a supply pump 130, an instantaneous heating device 140, a water intake member 170, various valves (supply valve FV, cold water extraction valve V1, purified water extraction valve V2, hot water extraction valve V3, ice making water supply valve V4, hot water discharge valve V5) flow path and a control part C, and can be configured to further include a water tank part 120, an ice making part 150, an ice storage tank 160 and a flow sensor FS, etc.

[0051] The filter unit 110 filters the raw water provided through the raw water supply flow path L0 to generate purified water, and can be configured to include a reverse osmosis membrane filter 113. Like the conventional water purifier 100, the filter unit 110 can be configured to include a plurality of filters, and as an example, can include a pre-filter 111, a reverse osmosis membrane filter 113, and a post-filter 115. The pre-filter 111 can be composed of a composite filter of a sediment filter and a pre-activated carbon filter, and the post-filter 115 can be formed of a post-activated carbon filter or the like. However, the filter (except the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113) provided in the filter unit 110 according to the present invention can be variously modified by using known filters.

[0052] A supply valve FV may be provided at the front end of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 , and the supply valve FV may be opened or closed to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 .

[0053] The filter section 110 is provided with a filter section flow path L1 connecting a plurality of filters to one another, and the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 is connected to a domestic water discharge pipe DL1 for discharging domestic water (concentrated water) that has not passed through the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113. Meanwhile, in this specification and the claims, the term "discharge" is defined as the disposal of wastewater (drainage water, domestic water, etc.) through various discharge pipes.

[0054] refer to Figure 2Raw water supplied to the filter unit 110 via the raw water supply flow path L0 is filtered by the filter unit 110, and the purified water filtered from the filter unit 110 is stored in the water tank unit 120 via the purified water inflow flow path L2. In this case, the water tank unit 120 may be configured to include a purified water tank 121 for storing purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 at room temperature, and a cold water tank 125 for cooling and storing purified water. When the purified water extraction valve V2 is opened, the room-temperature purified water contained in the purified water tank 121 flows through the purified water outlet flow path L3, the flow path connecting member F1, and the purified water extraction flow path L4, and is discharged through the water intake member 170, such as a faucet or a stopcock. Furthermore, when the cold water extraction valve V1 is opened, the cold water contained in the cold water tank 125 flows through the cold water extraction flow path L5 and is discharged through the water intake member 170. On the other hand, the domestic water (concentrated water) that has not passed through the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 is discharged through the main drain pipe DLM formed by merging the domestic water drain pipe DL1 and various drain pipes.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 The water flow when extracting hot water and the water flow when discharging the drain water generated in the instantaneous heating device 140 are described.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 , the purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 is directly or indirectly supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 and discharged after being heated. That is, the purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 may be directly supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140, or may be supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 is first contained in the purified water tank 121 and then indirectly supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 .

[0057] When the user inputs a hot water extraction signal, the control unit C drives the supply pump 130, heats the instantaneous heating device 140, and opens the hot water extraction valve V3. As a result, the clean water filtered by the filter unit 110 flows through the clean water tank 121, the clean water outlet flow path L3, and the clean water supply flow path L6 and flows into the supply pump 130.

[0058] Since the instantaneous heating device 140 generates steam due to overheating, in order to ensure the safety of the instantaneous heating device 140, the instantaneous heating device 140 is disposed below the water intake member 170. Therefore, in order to extract hot water through the water intake member 170, the water needs to be pressurized and supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 by the supply pump 130.

[0059] Purified water pressurized by the supply pump 130 flows through the flow path connection member F2 and the hot water inlet flow path L6b into the water inlet 141 of the instantaneous heating device 140, and after being heated, is discharged through the water outlet 142. When a hot water extraction signal is input, the controller C executes a heating operation of the instantaneous heating device 140, thereby heating the purified water flowing from the water inlet 141 to the water outlet 142 and discharging the hot water through the water outlet 142.

[0060] The hot water discharged through the water outlet 142 may flow through the hot water outlet flow path L7 and the hot water extraction flow path L8 and be discharged through the water intake member 170 .

[0061] In this case, in order to control heating according to the flow rate of purified water flowing into the instantaneous heating device 140, a flow sensor FS for measuring the flow rate flowing into the instantaneous heating device 140 may be installed at the front end of the instantaneous heating device 140. The control unit C controls the voltage and / or current applied to the heater provided in the instantaneous heating device 140 based on the flow rate measured by the flow sensor FS and the purified water temperature at the water inlet 141 and / or the hot water temperature at the water outlet 142, measured by a temperature sensor (not shown).

[0062] On the other hand, when the instantaneous heating device 140 is operated after a hot water extraction signal is input, since the temperature of the water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 is relatively low, the hot water discharge valve V5 may be opened to discharge the purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 according to a preset first discharge condition (e.g., a preset flow rate or a preset time). Furthermore, when a hot water extraction end signal is input in response to a user terminating the extraction of hot water or completing the extraction of a predetermined amount of hot water, the hot water discharge valve V5 may be opened to discharge the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device 140 according to a preset second discharge condition (e.g., a preset flow rate or a preset time).

[0063] As mentioned above, by Figure 3 As shown by the dotted line "hot water drain", when the hot water drain valve V5 is opened, the drain water (waste water) discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 can be drained through the hot water drain pipe DL2 and the main drain pipe DLM formed by the domestic water drain pipe DL21 and the hot water drain pipe DL2 through the flow path connecting component F4.

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 4 Describe the flow of water when making ice.

[0065] Reference Figure 4 The water purifier 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an ice making part 150 for generating ice and an ice storage tank 160 for storing ice.

[0066] The ice making unit 150 generates ice cubes by cooling the supplied water using a known cooling system. The ice making unit 150 can employ various well-known methods, such as an immersion ice making method, a spray ice making method, a water flow ice making method, a spiral ice making method, and the like. Furthermore, the cooling system for generating ice can be a conventional cooling system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, but is not limited thereto, and a cooling method using a thermoelectric module can also be employed.

[0067] The purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 is directly or indirectly supplied to the ice making unit 150, and the ice making unit 150 generates ice using the purified water filtered by the filter unit 110. That is, the purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 may be directly supplied to the ice making unit 150, or the purified water may be directly supplied to the ice making unit 150. Figure 4 As shown, the purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 is first contained in the purified water tank 121 and then indirectly supplied to the ice making unit 150 .

[0068] When an ice making start signal is generated due to insufficient ice in the ice storage 170, the control unit C drives the supply pump 130 and opens the ice making water supply valve V4. Figure 4 As shown, the purified water filtered by the filter may flow through the purified water tank 121 , the purified water outlet flow path L3 , and the purified water supply flow path L6 and flow into the supply pump 130 .

[0069] When the clean water tank 121 is positioned at a level not exceeding the ice-making water supply port 151 of the ice-making unit 150, that is, when the clean water tank 121 and the ice-making water supply port 151 are approximately horizontal, simply opening the ice-making water supply valve V4 does not allow the supply of ice-making water (clean water). Therefore, in order to supply ice-making water to the ice-making water supply port 151, the supply pump 130 is driven to pressurize the water and supply it to the ice-making unit 150.

[0070] The purified water pressurized by the supply pump 130 flows into the ice-making water inlet 151 through the flow path connection member F2 and the ice-making portion inflow path L6 a and is supplied to the ice-making portion 150 .

[0071] The ice generated by the ice making unit 150 can be stored in the ice bank 160 through a de-icing process. For de-icing, a method of supplying hot gas as a high-temperature refrigerant to the evaporator can be used, or a method of heating the evaporator with a heater can also be used.

[0072] The ice storage 160 is located below the ice making unit 150 to accommodate de-iced ice cubes. The ice cubes stored in the ice storage 160 can be provided to users through the ice outlet 165 .

[0073] Next, refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 5 , for the domestic water discharge process controlled by controller C ( Figure 5 ②) and hot water discharge process ( Figure 5 Describe the priority order of ①).

[0074] The control unit C can control the opening or closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain pipe DL2 and the domestic water drain pipe DL1 so that Figure 3 The hot water draining process ( Figure 5 ①) and Figure 2 In the process of filtering raw water to generate purified water, the domestic water that has not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 is discharged through the domestic water discharge pipe DL1. Figure 5 In ②), the hot water discharge process ① takes precedence over the domestic water discharge process ②.

[0075] Specifically, when a hot water discharge signal is input to discharge the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 through the hot water drain pipe DL2, the control unit C opens the hot water drain valve V5 to execute the hot water drain process ①, and closes the supply valve FV to prevent water from flowing into the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113, thereby enabling the hot water drain process ① to be executed preferentially instead of the domestic water drain process ②.

[0076] Furthermore, while domestic water discharge process ② is being executed by opening supply valve FV to generate purified water and draining domestic water that has not been filtered by reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 through domestic water discharge pipe DL1, if a hot water discharge signal is input, to prioritize hot water discharge process ①, control unit C may open hot water discharge valve V5 and close supply valve FV, allowing hot water discharge process ① to be executed before domestic water discharge process ②. Furthermore, after hot water discharge process 1 is completed, control unit C may reopen supply valve FV to execute domestic water discharge process ②. Specifically, when hot water discharge process ① and domestic water discharge process ② are being executed simultaneously, control unit C controls the opening or closing of the flow path so that hot water discharge process ① is executed first, followed by domestic water discharge process ②.

[0077] In addition, when the water supply valve is closed and purified water is not produced, when a hot water discharge signal is input, the control unit C can open the hot water discharge valve V5 to perform a hot water discharge process while maintaining the closed state of the supply valve FV.

[0078] Also, when a hot water discharge signal is input, the control part C may drive the supply pump 130 to supply purified water to the water inlet 141 of the instantaneous heating device 140 .

[0079] Here, the hot water discharge signal may include at least one of an initial discharge signal and a final discharge signal. The initial discharge signal is a signal that causes the purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 to be discharged through the hot water discharge pipe DL2 according to a preset first discharge condition when a hot water extraction signal is input by the user. The final discharge signal is a signal that causes the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device 140 to be discharged through the hot water discharge pipe DL2 according to a preset second discharge condition when a hot water extraction end signal is input in response to the user terminating hot water extraction or completing a predetermined amount of hot water extraction. The first and second discharge conditions may be set to a preset flow rate or a preset time, and the values of the two may be the same or different.

[0080] In addition, although Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the domestic water drainage process ② is terminated by installing an additional domestic water drainage valve (not shown) in the domestic water drainage pipe DL1 and closing the domestic water drainage valve.

[0081] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the hot water discharge process ① of discharging the drain water of the instantaneous heating device 140 through the hot water discharge pipe DL2 when extracting hot water is executed in priority to the domestic water discharge process ② of discharging the domestic water that has not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 through the domestic water discharge pipe DL1 in the process of filtering raw water to generate clean water, thereby preventing the hot water discharge process ① and the domestic water discharge process ② from not being executed at the same time, thereby allowing the discharge of the drain water of the instantaneous heating device 140 to be performed smoothly and stably.

[0082] Therefore, when the user inputs a hot water extraction signal and operates the instantaneous heating device 140, in the process of discharging the drainage water (waste water) discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 according to preset conditions (for example, a preset flow rate), it is possible to prevent hot water from being discharged, and it is possible to prevent the water contained in the instantaneous heating device 140 from being continuously heated without extracting hot water, thereby causing the instantaneous heating device 140 to overheat and cause serious accidents such as the instantaneous heating device 140 exploding.

[0083] Below, we will refer to Figures 6 to 11 A water purifier 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0084] Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram showing a water pipe of a water purifier 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 6 The water pipe diagram of the water purifier 100 shown in FIG. Figure 8 It is shown from Figure 6The water pipe diagram of the water purifier 100 when extracting hot water is shown. Figure 9 It shows Figure 6 The water pipe diagram of the water purifier 100 during ice making is shown. Figure 10 Is showing the inflow Figure 6 The water pipe diagram of the flow of the drain water in the drain tank 180 of the water purifier 100 and the flow of the drain water discharged from the drain tank 180 is shown. Figure 11 is used to describe Figure 6 The domestic water discharge process of the water purifier 100 shown in FIG. Figure 11 ③) Hot water discharge process ( Figure 11 ①) and drainage tank discharge process ( Figure 11 The water pipe diagram with the priority of ②).

[0085] and Figures 1 to 5 Compared with the water purifier 100 of the first embodiment shown, Figures 6 to 11 The water purifier 100 of the second embodiment shown is different only in that it further includes: a drain tank 180 for storing drainage water generated inside the water purifier 100; a drain tank drain pipe DL3 for draining the drainage water contained in the drain tank 180; and a drain pump 190 provided in the drain tank drain pipe DL3 and operated to drain the drainage water contained in the drain tank 180. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the description of the drain pump 190 will be omitted. Figures 1 to 5 The detailed description of the same or similar components of the water purifier 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may be replaced by the contents described in the first embodiment.

[0086] first, Figure 7 The water flow during raw water filtration and clean water / cold water extraction shown is compared with the reference Figure 2 The water flows described are the same, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] and, Figure 8 The water flow when extracting hot water is also the same as the reference Figure 3 The water flows described are the same, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] then, Figure 9 The water flow during ice making shown is the same as the reference Figure 4 The water flow during ice making described in the previous section is the same, so the relevant detailed description will be omitted. Figure 8 There is a difference in that a drainage tank 180 is further included so that drain water of the ice storage can be provided to the drainage tank 180 .

[0089] A meltwater drain port 161 may be provided at the lower portion of the ice storage 160 to drain water (meltwater) resulting from the melting of ice cubes stored in the ice storage 160. The meltwater drain port 161 is connected to a meltwater inlet 181 of a drainage tank 180 via a meltwater drain pipe D1, and the meltwater (drainage water) discharged through the meltwater drain port 161 may be stored in the drainage tank 180.

[0090] In addition, the ice storage bin 160 may include: an ice outlet 165 for discharging ice cubes to the outside; and an extraction outlet side drain port 162, which is provided near the ice outlet 165 and is used to discharge water formed around the ice outlet 165 to the outside. The extraction outlet side drain port 162 may discharge various drainage water (waste water) formed around the ice outlet 165 to the outside. The various drainage water (waste water) may be, for example, water generated by condensation caused by the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the ice outlet 165 or melted water such as melted crushed ice present around the ice outlet 165. Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the extraction port side drain port 162 can be formed at the lower side of the ice storage bin 160 near the ice outlet 165. In addition, the extraction port side drain port 162 is connected to the extraction port side inlet 182 of the drainage tank 180 through the extraction port side drain pipe D2, and the drainage water discharged through the extraction port side drain port 162 can be stored in the drainage tank 180.

[0091] Will refer to Figure 10 Describe the flow of the drain water flowing into the drain tank 180 and the flow of the drain water discharged from the drain tank 180. Figure 9 As described above, the drainage tank 180 may accommodate drainage water discharged from the melt water drainage port 161 and / or the extraction port-side drainage port 162 of the ice storage 160 .

[0092] Furthermore, the drainage tank 180 can also accommodate the drainage water discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140. Specifically, when the instantaneous heating device 140 is operated after the hot water extraction signal is input, since the temperature of the water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 is relatively low, the clean water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device 140 can be supplied to the drainage tank 180 according to a preset first drainage condition (e.g., a preset flow rate or a preset time). At this time, as Figure 10 As shown, the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 to the hot water outlet flow path L7 can flow through the flow path connecting component F3, a portion of the hot water drain pipe DL2, the flow path connecting component F5 and the hot water drain pipe D3 and flow into the drain tank 180 through the hot water inlet 183 of the drain tank 180.

[0093] On the other hand, when the hot water extraction end signal is input according to the user's termination of hot water extraction or the completion of a predetermined amount of hot water extraction, the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device 140 can be drained according to a second drainage condition (for example, a preset flow rate or a preset time). However, since the temperature of the water discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 at this time is high temperature, it may damage the drainage tank 180. Therefore, compared with storing in the drainage tank 180, it is preferred to drain the water directly through the hot water drain pipe DL2.

[0094] In addition, a water level sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the water level is provided inside the drainage tank 180. Therefore, when the water level in the drainage tank 180 reaches a predetermined water level (e.g., a full water level), a drainage tank drain signal is generated to discharge the drainage water contained in the drainage tank 180 through the drainage tank drain pipe DL3. When the drainage tank drain signal is input, the control unit C executes the drainage tank drain process ( Figure 11 ② in the figure). This drain tank draining process ② can be performed until the water level in drain tank 180 reaches a predetermined level (e.g., a low water level). To perform this drain tank draining process ②, control unit C operates drain pump 190 connected to drain water outlet 184 of drain tank 180. When drain tank draining process ② is performed, the drain water contained in drain tank 180 flows through drain water outlet 184, drain pump 190, drain tank drain pipe DL3, flow path connecting members F6 and F4, and is discharged through main drain pipe DLM.

[0095] Finally, refer to Figure 11 Describe the process of domestic water discharge ( Figure 11 ③) Hot water discharge process ( Figure 11 ①) and drainage tank discharge process ( Figure 11 The priority of ②) in .

[0096] The control unit C can control the opening or closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain pipe DL2, the domestic water drain pipe DL1 and the drain tank drain pipe DL3 so that Figure 8 When extracting hot water, the hot water draining process ( Figure 11 ①) in Figure 7 The domestic water discharge process (shown in FIG. 1 ) is to discharge domestic water that has not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 through the domestic water discharge pipe DL1 during the process of filtering raw water to generate purified water. Figure 11 ③) in the above and Figure 10 The drain tank draining process (shown as a process for draining the drain water contained in the drain tank 180 through the drain tank drain pipe DL3) Figure 11 In ②), the drainage operation is performed in the order of hot water drainage process ①, drainage tank drainage process ② and domestic water drainage process ③.

[0097] That is, under the condition that two or more of the drainage processes among the hot water drainage process ①, the drain tank drainage process ② and the domestic water drainage process ③ are executed at the same time, the control unit C causes the hot water drainage process ① to be executed first; when the hot water drainage process ① is not executed, the drain tank drainage process ② is executed; and when the hot water drainage process ① and the drain tank drainage process ② are not executed, the domestic water drainage process ③ is executed.

[0098] Specifically, when a hot water drain signal is input to drain the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 through the hot water drain pipe DL2, the control unit C can open the hot water drain valve V5 to stop operating the drain pump 190, and close the supply valve FV to prioritize the hot water drain process ①.

[0099] Furthermore, when a drain tank drain signal is input to discharge the drain water contained in the drain tank 180 through the drain tank drain pipe DL3, if the hot water drain process ① is in progress, the control unit C can drive the drain pump 190 to perform the drain tank drain process ② after the hot water drain process ① is completed. If the hot water drain process ① is not in progress, the control unit C can perform the drain tank drain process ② by driving the drain pump 190 and closing the supply valve FV.

[0100] In addition, when a hot water discharge signal is input while the supply valve FV is open, the control unit C can open the hot water discharge valve V5 and close the supply valve FV to perform the hot water discharge process ①, and reopen the supply valve after the hot water discharge process ① is completed to perform the domestic water discharge process ③.

[0101] Furthermore, when the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve FV is open, the control unit C can drive the drain pump 190 and close the supply valve FV to perform the drain tank drain process ②, and reopen the supply valve FV after the drain tank drain process ② is completed to perform the domestic water drain process ③.

[0102] In addition, when the hot water discharge signal is inputted while the supply valve FV is closed, the control unit C may open the hot water discharge valve V5 to perform the hot water discharge process ① while maintaining the closed state of the supply valve FV.

[0103] Furthermore, when the drain tank drain signal is inputted while the supply valve FV is closed, the control unit C may drive the drain pump 190 and perform the drain tank drain process ② while maintaining the supply valve FV in a closed state.

[0104] Also, when a hot water discharge signal is input, the control part C may drive the supply pump 130 to supply purified water to the water inlet 141 of the instantaneous heating device 140 .

[0105] At this time, the hot water discharge signal may include a final discharge signal, which is a signal for discharging the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device 140 through the hot water discharge pipe DL2 according to a preset second discharge condition after the hot water extraction end signal is input. The second discharge condition can be set to a preset flow rate or a preset time.

[0106] In addition, although Figure 7 and Figure 11 , the supply valve FV is closed to prevent the domestic water discharge process ③ from being executed, but the domestic water discharge process ③ can also be terminated by installing an additional domestic water drain valve (not shown) in the domestic water drain pipe DL1 and closing the domestic water drain valve.

[0107] As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, among the hot water draining step ① that occurs when hot water is extracted, the domestic water draining step ③ that occurs when purified water is produced, and the drain tank draining step ② that occurs when the drain tank 180 is full, the draining operation is prioritized in the order of hot water draining step ①, drain tank draining step ②, and domestic water draining step ③, thereby preventing two or more of the hot water draining step ①, drain tank draining step ②, and domestic water draining step ③ from being executed simultaneously. Furthermore, if conditions exist where two or more draining steps are to be executed simultaneously, the draining step in the order of priority is prioritized, and the remaining steps are executed sequentially, thereby ensuring smooth and stable drainage of the drain water from the instantaneous heating device 140. Therefore, when a hot water extraction signal is input by the user to operate the instantaneous heating device 140, the drainage water (waste water) discharged from the instantaneous heating device 140 according to preset conditions (for example, a preset flow rate) can be discharged, and the situation where hot water cannot be discharged can be prevented. In addition, the water contained in the instantaneous heating device 140 can be prevented from being continuously heated when hot water is not extracted, causing the instantaneous heating device 140 to overheat and then causing serious accidents such as the instantaneous heating device 140 exploding.

[0108] Furthermore, the drainage of the drainage water contained in the drainage tank 180 is controlled to take priority over the drainage process of domestic water, thereby preventing overflow of the drainage tank 180 due to poor drainage of the drainage water discharged from the drainage tank 180 and safety accidents such as electric shock or fire caused thereby.

[0109] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0110] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented with some components deleted, and the configurations of the various embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0111] Description of Reference Numerals

[0112] 100: water purifier; 110: filter unit; 111: pre-filter;

[0113] 113: reverse osmosis membrane filter; 115: post filter; 120: water tank;

[0114] 121: clean water tank; 125: cold water tank; 130: supply pump; 140: instantaneous heating device;

[0115] 141: Water inlet; 142: Water outlet; 150: Ice making unit; 151: Ice making water supply port;

[0116] 160: Ice storage; 161: Melt water drain; 162: Extraction outlet side drain;

[0117] 165: ice outlet; 170: water intake component; 180: drainage tank; 181: melt water inlet;

[0118] 182: extraction port side inlet; 183: hot water inlet; 184: drainage water outlet;

[0119] 190: drainage pump; C: control unit; D1: melt water drainage pipe; D2: extraction port side drainage pipe;

[0120] D3: hot water drain pipe; DL1: domestic water drain pipe; DL2: hot water drain pipe;

[0121] DL3: drain tank drain pipe; DLM: main drain pipe;

[0122] F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6: flow path connecting components; FS: flow sensor;

[0123] FV: Supply valve; L0: Raw water supply flow path; L1: Filter flow path;

[0124] L2: purified water inlet flow path; L3: purified water outlet flow path; L4: purified water extraction flow path;

[0125] L5: cold water extraction flow path; L6: purified water supply flow path; L6a: ice making unit water inlet flow path;

[0126] L6b: hot water inlet flow path; L7: hot water outlet flow path; L8: hot water extraction flow path;

[0127] V1: cold water extraction valve; V2: clean water extraction valve; V3: hot water extraction valve;

[0128] V4: Ice water supply valve; V5: Hot water drain valve.

Claims

1. A water purifier, in, include: a filter unit having a reverse osmosis membrane filter for generating purified water; a supply valve capable of being opened or closed to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter; an instantaneous heating device having a water inlet for providing purified water filtered by the filter portion and a water outlet for heating and discharging the purified water, wherein the instantaneous heating device heats the purified water flowing from the water inlet to the water outlet and discharges the hot water through the water outlet; a water intake member provided for extracting hot water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a supply pump operated to supply clean water to the water inlet of the instantaneous heating device; a domestic water discharge pipe for discharging domestic water that has not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter; a hot water drain pipe for draining drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a hot water drain valve, located on the hot water drain pipe, for opening or closing the hot water drain pipe; and a control unit for controlling the opening or closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain pipe and the domestic water drain pipe so that the hot water drain process is preferentially performed between the hot water drain process through the hot water drain pipe and the domestic water drain process through the domestic water drain pipe; When receiving a hot water drain signal to drain drain water from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain pipe, the control unit executes the hot water drain process by opening the hot water drain valve and closing the supply valve. When the hot water discharge signal is input while the supply valve is open, the control unit opens the hot water discharge valve and closes the supply valve to execute the hot water discharge process. After the hot water discharge process is completed, the control unit reopens the supply valve to execute the domestic water discharge process. When the hot water drain signal is inputted while the supply valve is closed, the control unit opens the hot water drain valve to execute the hot water drain process while maintaining the supply valve in the closed state.

2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein When the hot water discharge signal is input, the control part supplies clean water to the water inlet by driving the supply pump.

3. The water purifier according to claim 2, wherein: The hot water discharge signal includes at least one of an initial discharge signal and a final discharge signal. The initial discharge signal is a signal for discharging the clean water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device through the hot water discharge pipe according to a preset first discharge condition as the hot water extraction signal is input. The final discharge signal is a signal for discharging the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device through the hot water discharge pipe according to a preset second discharge condition as the hot water extraction end signal is input.

4. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: Drain tank, used to store the drainage water generated inside the water purifier, a drainage tank drain pipe for draining the drainage water contained in the drainage tank, and a drainage pump located in the drainage pipe of the drainage tank and operated to drain the drainage water contained in the drainage tank; The control unit controls the opening or closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain pipe, the domestic water drain pipe, and the drain tank drain pipe so that the draining work is performed preferentially in the order of the hot water draining process, the domestic water draining process, and the drain tank draining process through the drain tank drain pipe.

5. The water purifier according to claim 4, wherein: When a hot water discharge signal is input to discharge the drain water discharged from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water discharge pipe, the control unit opens the hot water discharge valve to stop the drain pump and closes the supply valve to execute the hot water discharge process. When a drain tank drain signal for discharging the drain water contained in the drain tank through the drain tank drain pipe is input, when the hot water drain process is in progress, the control unit drives the drain pump to execute the drain tank drain process after the hot water drain process is completed, and when the hot water drain process is not in progress, the control unit executes the drain tank drain process by driving the drain pump and closing the supply valve.

6. The water purifier according to claim 5, wherein: When the hot water discharge signal is input while the supply valve is open, the control unit opens the hot water discharge valve and closes the supply valve to execute the hot water discharge process. After the hot water discharge process is completed, the control unit reopens the supply valve to execute the domestic water discharge process. When the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, the control unit drives the drain pump and closes the supply valve to execute the drain tank drain process. After the drain tank drain process is completed, the control unit reopens the supply valve to execute the domestic water drain process. When the hot water drain signal is inputted while the supply valve is closed, the control unit opens the hot water drain valve to execute the hot water drain process while maintaining the supply valve in the closed state. When the drain tank drain signal is inputted while the supply valve is closed, the control unit drives the drain pump while maintaining the supply valve in the closed state, thereby executing the drain tank drain process.

7. The water purifier according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The drainage tank stores drainage water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device after a hot water extraction signal is input.

8. The water purifier according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The water purifier also includes: an ice making unit for producing ice cubes using the purified water filtered in the filter unit, and An ice storage bin, used for storing ice cubes generated by the ice making unit; The drainage tank stores drainage water discharged from the ice storage tank.

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