Cold water tank assembly

Abstract

To provide a cold water tank assembly which increases the time and area of contact between an evaporator and purified water to increase cooling efficiency relative to capacity and maximize the amount of cold water extracted.SOLUTION: A cold water tank assembly includes: a cold water tank forming a storage space therein; a partition wall part dividing the storage space of the cold water tank into a plurality of adjacent heat exchange flow passage areas; and an evaporator which includes a main line that is drawn into the storage space and arranged to pass through the heat exchange flow passage areas in sequence and a connecting line having a folded end part, and through which a refrigerant flows. The partition wall part has an open passage through which a connecting line and purified water pass while communicating adjacent heat exchange passage areas, and purified water at room temperature flowing into a first heat exchange flow passage area forms at least one upward flow and passes through the Nth heat exchange flow passage area to be extracted as purified water at low temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cold water tank assembly, and more particularly, to a cold water tank assembly that can increase the contact time and area between an evaporator and purified water in a limited space while miniaturizing, improve the cooling efficiency in terms of capacity ratio, and maximize the cold water extraction amount.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, water purifiers, carbonated water machines, cold and hot water machines, etc. are equipped with a cold water tank so that purified water at room temperature can be cooled to generate low-temperature purified water (water) and supplied to users.

[0003] Taking a water purifier as an example, such a cold water tank includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe communicating with the internal space, and room-temperature purified water filtered through one or more filters flows in and is stored in the internal space.

[0004] Then, the room-temperature purified water (water) stored through an evaporator (cooling pipe) provided in the cold water tank is cooled to a set temperature and extracted as low-temperature purified water (water) so that users can drink or use purified water (water) at a temperature lower than room temperature.

[0005] As an example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0062080 discloses a structure for cooling purified water stored by providing an evaporator in the internal space of a cold water tank.

[0006] Such a cold water tank has a rectangular shape, and an internal accommodation space for accommodating a fluid is partitioned into a plurality of areas using a plurality of lateral partitions. Each area is arranged so that the evaporator passes through it, and the purified water flowing in from the upper part is cooled to low-temperature purified water (cold water) by the evaporator while passing through each area and then discharged.

[0007] However, in a cold water tank of this configuration, the partitions are arranged alternately horizontally in the storage space, and the purified water flows from top to bottom, so the time for the room temperature purified water to come into contact with the evaporator is insufficient, resulting in a problem of reduced cooling efficiency and amount of cold water extracted.

[0008] In other words, in a structure in which the room temperature purified water flows downward according to its own weight, is cooled while coming into contact with the evaporator in the flow passage area, and is extracted as low temperature purified water, it is difficult to reduce the size of the cold water tank in the space of the water purifier, which is limited compared to the capacity due to the partition installed only in the horizontal direction. In this structure, there is a problem that the purified water flows only downward, and the purified water is extracted to the outside without sufficient time and contact area between the purified water and the evaporator.

[0009] While current water purifiers are becoming more compact, the cold water efficiency of such conventional cold water tanks (calculated by dividing the amount of cold water extracted by the tank capacity) is poor, making it difficult for users to obtain purified water (cold water) at the desired low temperature, resulting in low user satisfaction.

[0010] Therefore, when constructing a cold water tank for a water purifier, etc., there is a need for a cold water tank assembly that can be made smaller while improving space efficiency, and that can maximize the amount of cold water extracted while improving cooling efficiency relative to capacity by increasing the time and area of ​​contact between the evaporator and purified water in a limited space.There is a pressing need for the development of a cold water tank assembly that can not only optimally perform the original functions of the cold water tank but also increase user satisfaction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0062080 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention is for solving the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to increase the contact time and area between the evaporator and the purified water in a limited space while miniaturizing, so as to improve the capacity-to-ratio cooling efficiency and maximize the cold water extraction amount, and to provide a cold water tank assembly.

[0013] Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a cold water tank assembly capable of increasing the contact time and contact area between the evaporator and the purified water while the purified water at normal temperature flowing into the accommodation space of the cold water tank has a flow of the purified water (water) rising at least once or more.

[0014] The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cold water tank assembly is provided.

[0016] The cold water tank assembly includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe through which purified water flows, forms an accommodation space inside, and has a cold water tank having a length in a first direction, at least one or more first partitions formed in a plate shape having an XZ plane and partitioning the accommodation space in a second direction, and at least one or more second partitions formed in a plate shape having an XY plane, intersecting the first partitions and partitioning the accommodation space in a third direction, and includes a partition portion partitioning the accommodation space into a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions adjacent in the second direction or the third direction and having a length in the first direction, and a main line that is drawn into the accommodation space, sequentially passes through the plurality of heat exchange flow path regions, and is drawn out to the outside, but is arranged to pass through the heat exchange flow path regions in the first direction, and a connecting line in which the end of the main line is bent so that adjacent main lines are connected, and an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows.

[0017] At this time, an opening passage through which the connecting line and the purified water pass is formed in the partition portion while communicating the adjacent heat exchange flow path regions.

[0018] Then, the purified water at room temperature flowing into the first heat exchange flow path region passes through the Nth heat exchange flow path region while forming a flow in the third direction that rises at least once or more, and is extracted as purified water at low temperature.

[0019] At this time, the first partition and the second partition can intersect so as to be orthogonal to each other to form a lattice structure.

[0020] At this time, the main line can be arranged so as to pass on the center line along the first direction of the heat exchange flow path region.

[0021] At this time, the edge of the partition portion can be arranged by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space of the cold water tank.

[0022] And, if necessary, the cold water tank can include a coupling groove in which the edge of the partition portion is press-fitted on the inner peripheral surface.

[0023] And, the cold water tank can have a cross-sectional shape of a closed surface having a minor axis in the second direction and a major axis in the third direction orthogonal to the second direction.

[0024] At this time, the cold water tank assembly can further include a heat insulation case that forms a space between the outer peripheral surface of the cold water tank and wraps the cold water tank.

[0025] On the other hand, the space therebetween can form a vacuum insulation space or can be filled with a heat insulating material.

[0026] And, the cold water tank can include a first body portion having a housing shape with a first opening, and a second body portion having a housing shape with a second opening corresponding to be in contact with the first opening, and being coupled to be sealed with the first body portion.

[0027] On the one hand, if necessary, a part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall may be integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first body portion, and a part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall may be integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second body portion.

[0028] And the cold water tank may further include a water level sensor for measuring the purified water level in the heat exchange flow path area formed at the uppermost part in the third direction in the accommodation space, and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of any one of the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas.

[0029] At this time, the temperature sensor may be disposed in the first heat exchange flow path area communicating with the water inlet pipe.

[0030] And the cold water tank may further include an overflow pipe communicating with the heat exchange flow path area formed at the uppermost part in the third direction in the accommodation space.

[0031] And the flow of the refrigerant in the evaporator and the flow of the purified water passing through the heat exchange flow path area may be formed to have flows in opposite directions to each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0032] With the above configuration, the cold water tank assembly according to the present invention divides the accommodation space inside the cold water tank into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas using the first partition wall in the XZ plane and the second partition wall in the XY plane, and forms the maximum heat exchange flow path areas in a limited space, thereby having the effect of increasing the contact area between the purified water and the evaporator.

[0033] In addition, the plurality of partition walls including the first partition wall in the XZ plane and the second partition wall in the XY plane have a length in the first direction in the accommodation space, divide the accommodation space into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas adjacent in the second direction or the third direction, and have a flow in which the purified water rises at least once or more, so as to maximize the contact time between the purified water and the evaporator, improve the capacity-to-ratio cooling efficiency, and maximize the cold water extraction amount.

[0034] Also, the flow of the refrigerant flowing into and extracted from the evaporator and the flow of the purified water flowing into and extracted from the heat exchange flow path area have opposite flows to each other. As a result, the purified water extracted after passing through the last heat exchange flow path area can have the effect of being extracted at a lower temperature by exchanging heat with the ice formed in the evaporator by the refrigerant until the end, resulting in a lower temperature of the purified water.

[0035] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and it should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

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Figure 9

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. The present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts not related to the description in the drawings are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0038] Words and terms used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can define terms and concepts in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0039] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings correspond to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace this at the time of filing the present invention.

[0040] In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to describe the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be construed as precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0041] When a component is in the "front", "rear", "upper", or "lower" position of another component, unless there are special circumstances, it not only means that it is directly in contact with the other component and is arranged in the "front", "rear", "upper", or "lower" position, but also includes the case where other components are arranged in between. Also, when a component is "connected" to another component, unless there are special circumstances, it not only means that they are directly connected to each other, but also includes the case where they are indirectly connected to each other.

[0042] The terms "X-axis", "Y-axis", and "Z-axis" used in the description will be understood with reference to the coordinate system shown in the drawings. And in the description, the X-axis direction is referred to as the first direction, the Y-axis direction as the second direction, and the Z-axis direction as the third direction. However, this is only an example from a relative perspective. The first to third directions and the coordinate axes (X, Y, Z axes) are only introduced to explain the relative positions between components and do not limit the absolute positions of each component. Also, it is explicitly stated in advance that N or n described later means a constant of 1 or more.

[0043] And when explaining the present invention, specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations are omitted so as not to obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0044] Hereinafter, a cold water tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0045] First, as shown through FIGS. 1 to 7, a cold water tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention presents a cold water tank assembly 1 that can optimally exhibit the original function of the cold water tank by increasing the contact time and contact area between the evaporator 300 and the inflowing purified water while miniaturizing the size of the cold water tank 100, thereby increasing the capacity-to-cooling efficiency and maximizing the cold water extraction amount.

[0046] For this purpose, a cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cold water tank 100 having a large internal accommodation space S, a partition wall portion 200 that divides the internal accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A having a length (or longitudinal direction) in a first direction and adjacent to a second direction or a third direction, and an evaporator 300 that is arranged in the internal accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 with a set length and directionality so as to sequentially pass through the plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A partitioned by the partition wall portion 200.

[0047] First, the cold water tank 100 that constitutes the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a cylindrical shape with an internal accommodation space S and has a length in a first direction. And the cold water tank 100 includes a water inlet pipe 130 through which normal temperature purified water flows into the accommodation space S and a water outlet pipe 140 through which low temperature purified water (cold water) flows out to the outside.

[0048] At this time, as an example, the cold water tank 100 is configured to be divided into a first body portion 110 provided with the water inlet pipe 130 and a second body portion 120 provided with the water outlet pipe 140, and the first body portion 110 and the second body portion 120 may have a structure that is coupled to seal the internal accommodation space S.

[0049] At this time, it goes without saying that the water inlet pipe 130 and the water outlet pipe 140 can also be provided on the same body portion side depending on the region arrangement of the heat exchange flow path region H / A described later.

[0050] Further, if necessary, such a cold water tank 100 may have a housing shape that forms the accommodation space S, and may include a body portion having an open inlet and a cap portion that is coupled to seal and cover such a body portion, and is not necessarily limited to the coupling of the first body portion 110 and the second body portion 120 as shown in the figure.

[0051] However, in one embodiment of the present invention, as an example, the shape of the cold water tank 100 is described in which a first body part 110 having a housing shape with a first opening as shown in the figure and a second body part 120 having a housing shape with a second opening corresponding to and contacting the first opening and having the same shape as the first body part 110 are coupled to be sealed while facing each other.

[0052] On the other hand, the cold water tank 100 may include a temperature sensor 150, a water level sensor 160, and an overflow pipe 170 on one side as needed.

[0053] More specifically, the first body part 110 applied to the cold water tank 100 constituting the cold water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cylindrical (housing) shape with a first opening opened on one side in the first direction, and a water inlet pipe 130 is provided at a portion opposite to the first opening. And the evaporator 300 is arranged to be drawn in and then drawn out on the internal accommodation space, and such an evaporator 300 may be divided into a drawing-in line 300a side and a drawing-out line 300b side.

[0054] And the second body part 120 has a cylindrical (housing) shape with a second opening opened on the other side in the first direction so as to be opposite to the first body part 110, and a water outlet pipe 140, a temperature sensor 150, a water level sensor 160, and an overflow pipe 170 are provided at a portion opposite to the second opening.

[0055] On the other hand, the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 are coupled while corresponding such that the first opening and the second opening are in contact with each other, and have a structure that is sealed while forming a single internal accommodation space S.

[0056] For this purpose, the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 have a structure that is sealed while being tightened by a clamp 180 (FIG. 1), and it goes without saying that the clamp 180 includes a sealing member so as to enhance watertightness and sealing performance.

[0057] The clamp 180 that fastens and connects the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 in a sealed manner can adopt various ordinary structures. Therefore, specific descriptions are omitted to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention.

[0058] In this way, the cold water tank 100 formed by the connection between the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 has a housing shape with a sealed accommodation space S, and can have a cross-sectional shape of a closed surface having a minor axis in the second direction and a major axis in the third direction perpendicular to the second direction.

[0059] If necessary, the cold water tank 100 can be in the shape of an ellipse, a rectangle, or the like.

[0060] Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 1 to 7 again, the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a partition part 200 that divides the internal accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A.

[0061] At this time, the partition part 200 is composed of a first partition 210 and a second partition 220.

[0062] At this time, the first partition 210 has a plate shape having an XZ plane, divides the accommodation space S in the second direction, and can be composed of at least one or more plates.

[0063] And the second partition 220 has a plate shape having an XY plane, divides the accommodation space S in the third direction, and can be composed of at least one or more plates.

[0064] Such first partition 210 and second partition 220 have a length in the first direction of the accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 and divide it into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A adjacent in the second direction or the third direction.

[0065] And the partition part 200 has a connection line 320 of the evaporator 300 described later while communicating the adjacent heat exchange flow path areas H / A, and an opening passage u1 through which the inflowing purified water passes.

[0066] Such an opening passage u1 may have a shape in which a part of the partition wall 200 in contact with the inner surface of the cold water tank 100 is partially cut, and it goes without saying that it has a size and shape that are not obstructed by the connecting line 320 and the flow of purified water. For example, the opening passage u1 may have a hemispherical or semi-elliptical shape.

[0067] Further, a part of the opening passage u1 forms a first interval a1 in the first direction and a width of a second interval a2 in the second direction with the inner peripheral surface of the cold water tank 100 so that the evaporator 300 described later can be connected in a stable passing manner (see FIG. 3).

[0068] On the other hand, in the illustration, as an example, the first partition wall 210 is composed of one plate, and the second partition wall 220 is composed of two plates, but it goes without saying that it is not limited thereto.

[0069] As shown in the figure, one first partition wall 210 and two second partition walls 220 divide the internal accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 into six heat exchange flow path areas H / A.

[0070] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, when the water inlet pipe 130 is provided at the lower part of the first body part 110 in the third direction, the heat exchange flow path areas H / A formed and partitioned by the partition wall part 200 are the first heat exchange flow path area (1), the second heat exchange flow path area (2), the third heat exchange flow path area (3), the fourth heat exchange flow path area (4), the fifth heat exchange flow path area (5), and the sixth heat exchange flow path area (6). In this specification, the circled numbers indicating each heat exchange flow path area in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, and FIG. 9 described later are shown as numbers in parentheses.

[0071] At this time, the first heat exchange flow path area (1) is formed to communicate with the water inlet 131 of the water inlet pipe 130 formed in the first body part 110 and have a length in the first direction. And the first heat exchange flow path area (1) forms an opening passage u1 that is open in the third direction toward the second body part 120 side (see FIG. 3).

[0072] On the one hand, the second heat exchange flow path region (2) communicates with the first heat exchange flow path region (1) through the opening passage u1 of the first heat exchange flow path region (1), is arranged above the first heat exchange flow path region (1) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. And the second heat exchange flow path region (2) forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction on the side of the first body portion 110 (see FIG. 3).

[0073] On the one hand, the third heat exchange flow path region (3) communicates with the second heat exchange flow path region (2) through the opening passage u1 of the second heat exchange flow path region (2), is arranged above the second heat exchange flow path region (2) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. And the third heat exchange flow path region (3) forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the second direction on the side of the second body portion 120 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0074] On the one hand, the fourth heat exchange flow path region (4) communicates with the third heat exchange flow path region (3) through the opening passage u1 of the third heat exchange flow path region (3), is arranged on the side portion of the third heat exchange flow path region (3) in the second direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. And the fourth heat exchange flow path region (4) forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction on the side of the first body portion 110 (see FIG. 4).

[0075] On the one hand, the fifth heat exchange flow path region (5) communicates with the fourth heat exchange flow path region (4) through the opening passage u1 of the fourth heat exchange flow path region (4), is arranged below the fourth heat exchange flow path region (4) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. And the fifth heat exchange flow path region (5) forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction on the side of the second body portion 120 (see FIG. 4).

[0076] On the one hand, the sixth heat exchange flow path region (6) communicates with the fifth heat exchange flow path region (5) through the opening passage u1 between the fifth heat exchange flow path regions (5), is arranged below the fifth heat exchange flow path region (5) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. At this time, the sixth heat exchange flow path region (6), which is the last Nth heat exchange flow path region H / An, is connected to communicate with the water outlet 141 of the water outlet pipe 140.

[0077] In the illustration, as an example, it is shown that the water outlet pipe 140 is formed below the second body part 120. However, as described above, it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the water outlet pipe 140 can also be formed on the side of the first body part 110.

[0078] The position of such a water outlet pipe 140 can be arranged in consideration of the structure of the water purifier and the connection relationship with other modules.

[0079] On the other hand, in the sixth heat exchange flow path area (6) communicating with the water outlet pipe 140, cold purified water is stably guided to the side of the water outlet 141 of the water outlet pipe 140, and an outlet guide 142 having a set length in a plate shape or a pipe shape (Figs. 4 and 6) is included so that the ice generated in the evaporator does not block the water outlet 141 and prevent the flow of cold purified water.

[0080] Such an outlet guide 142 secures a stable guide area on the side of the water outlet 141 in the sixth heat exchange flow path area (6), so that cold purified water can be stably extracted through the water outlet 141.

[0081] As described above, the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A formed in the partition part 200 including the first partition 210 and the second partition 220 have a structure communicating with each other.

[0082] Then, the normal temperature purified water flowing into the first heat exchange flow path area H / A1, that is, the first heat exchange flow path area (1) in the illustration, through the water inlet pipe 130, since the above-described heat exchange flow path areas are partitioned adjacent to each other in the second direction or the third direction, it can only have a flow in the third direction that rises at least once or more, and passes through the Nth heat exchange flow path area H / An, that is, the sixth heat exchange flow path area (6) in the illustration, and exchanges heat with an evaporator 300 described later arranged in the heat exchange flow path area H / A, and is extracted as cold purified water (cold water) through the water outlet pipe 140.

[0083] On the one hand, the above-described partition part 200, that is, the first partition 210 and the second partition 220, as an example, may be in a form that intersects and has a lattice structure so as to be orthogonal to each other, and may be arranged in the accommodation space S before the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 are joined.

[0084] At this time, the first partition 210 and the second partition 220 may be formed of a hard material, or may be partially or entirely formed of a soft material. In other words, it goes without saying that the materials of the first partition 210 and the second partition 220 are not limited and can be changed as needed.

[0085] On the other hand, the edge of the partition part 200 is arranged by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 to block the penetration of purified water along the gap at the edge. As a result, the inflowing purified water moves completely only along the heat exchange flow path area H / A and performs heat exchange.

[0086] On the one hand, the partition part 200 may be in a form that the edge is fitted and joined to the coupling groove 101 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cold water tank 100.

[0087] In other words, the cold water tank 100 has a coupling groove 101 in which the edge of the partition part 200 is fitted. At this time, the coupling groove 101 has a set length so as to correspond to the entire end of the partition part 200 (see FIG. 3).

[0088] On the other hand, as another example, so as to improve the ease of assembly of the cold water tank assembly 1, the partition part 200 may be in a structure that is already integrally joined or molded to the inner peripheral surface of the first body part 110 or the second body part 120 that constitutes the cold water tank 100, and is arranged on the accommodation space by the joining of the first body part 110 and the second body part 120.

[0089] In other words, a part of the first body part 110 that forms the first partition wall 210 or the second partition wall 220 may be integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface, and the second body part 120 may be in a state where the other part of the first partition wall 210 or the second partition wall 220 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface.

[0090] When the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 are joined so as to be sealed, the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 intersect and have a lattice structure, and partition the accommodation space into a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A.

[0091] Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 1 to 7 again, the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an evaporator 300 disposed while penetrating the heat exchange flow path region H / A.

[0092] Such an evaporator 300 has a set length in the shape of a pipe through which a refrigerant flows inside, and is made of a metal material.

[0093] On the other hand, as described above, the evaporator 300 is disposed so as to be drawn out after being drawn into the internal accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100, and such an evaporator 300 can be divided into a drawing-in line 300a side and a drawing-out line 300b side.

[0094] In the drawing, it is shown that such a drawing-in line 300a and a drawing-out line 300b are provided in the first body part 110, but the present invention is not limited to this. If necessary, the drawing-in line 300a and the drawing-out line 300b may be provided in the second body part 120 depending on the arrangement of the heat exchange flow path region H / A, or one of them may be provided in the first body part 110 and the other one may be provided in the second body part 120.

[0095] However, the draw line 300b of the evaporator 300 has a structure drawn from the evaporator 300 disposed in the first heat exchange flow path region H / A1, similar to the water inlet pipe 130 (see FIG. 3), and the draw-in line 300a of the evaporator 300 has a structure drawn to be connected to the evaporator 300 disposed in the last Nth heat exchange flow path region H / An, similar to the water outlet pipe 140 (see FIG. 4).

[0096] As a result, the refrigerant injected into the evaporator 300 first passes through the last Nth heat exchange flow path region H / An of the cold water tank 100 via the draw-in line 300a, sequentially passes through the heat exchange flow path region H / A, and then finally passes through the first heat exchange flow path region H / A1, and has a flow out of the cold water tank 100 via the draw line 300b.

[0097] In other words, the order in which the normal temperature purified water flows into the first heat exchange flow path region H / A1 via the water inlet pipe 130, sequentially passes through the heat exchange flow path region H / A, and then passes through the last heat exchange flow path region H / An is opposite to the order of the refrigerant flow in the evaporator 300.

[0098] Normally, in the evaporator 300, ice is generated outside the evaporator 300 while the temperature decreases according to the order in which the refrigerant is injected and flows. Thus, in the cold water tank assembly 1 of the present invention, the normal temperature purified water flowing in via the water inlet pipe 130 can sufficiently exchange heat with the ice generated even in the last heat exchange flow path region H / An, so that the temperature of the extracted low-temperature purified water (cold water) can be extracted lower.

[0099] On the other hand, the draw-in line 300a of the evaporator 300 drawn into the accommodation space S of the cold water tank 100 is arranged to sequentially penetrate a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A partitioning the accommodation space S (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0100] Specifically, the evaporator 300 is drawn into the accommodation space S and drawn out to the outside while sequentially passing through a plurality of heat exchange channel regions H / A, and includes a main line 310 arranged to pass through the heat exchange channel regions H / A in the first direction, and a connecting line 320 whose end is bent so that the main line 310 arranged in an adjacent heat exchange channel region H / A is connected.

[0101] As described above, the connecting line 320 connects the main line 310 and the adjacent main line 310 while passing through the opening passage u1 formed by the partition wall portion 200 in the heat exchange channel region H / A.

[0102] Preferably, the main line 310 of the evaporator 300 is arranged to pass along the center line in the first direction of the heat exchange channel region H / A. Thereby, the normal-temperature purified water passing through the heat exchange channel region H / A comes into contact with the upper and lower parts of the ice generated in the main line 310, and the temperature of the purified water becomes lower more quickly. Thereby, in the cold water tank assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the generation rate of low-temperature purified water becomes faster.

[0103] On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 again, the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a heat insulation case 400 so as to enhance heat insulation.

[0104] At this time, the heat insulation case 400 forms a space S / A (FIG. 6) between the outer peripheral surface of the cold water tank 100 and has a structure that wraps the cold water tank 100.

[0105] At this time, the intermediate space S / A may be in a form that forms a vacuum insulation space, and the heat insulating material 410 can be filled as necessary.

[0106] Then, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 again, as described above, the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water level sensor 160, a temperature sensor 150, and an overflow pipe 170.

[0107] The water level sensor 160 is for checking the amount of purified water flowing into the cold water tank 100 for heat exchange. Preferably, it is arranged in the heat exchange flow path area H / A formed at the uppermost part in the third direction in the accommodation space S to measure the water level of the purified water in the heat exchange flow path area H / A.

[0108] As an example, the water level sensor 160 is shown as being provided on the upper part of the second body part 120, but it is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that it can be provided on the first body part 110.

[0109] On the other hand, the temperature sensor 150 is for checking the temperature of the purified water. It is provided in any one of the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas to check the temperature of the purified water flowing through the heat exchange flow path area. At this time, the temperature sensor 150 has a set length extending to the inside of the heat exchange flow path area H / A.

[0110] In one embodiment, as shown in the figure, the temperature sensor 150 may be provided in the first heat exchange flow path area H / A1 communicating with the water inlet pipe 130, and it is possible to check how fast the normal temperature purified water flowing in through this is heat exchanged in the first heat exchange flow path area H / A1 to become low temperature purified water (see FIG. 3).

[0111] On the other hand, the position of the temperature sensor 150 is not limited thereto. Needless to say, it can be provided in the last Nth heat exchange flow path area H / An as needed to measure the temperature of the low temperature purified water discharged, or it can be provided on the heat exchange flow path area H / A at a specific position where ice is generated in the evaporator 300 to measure the purified water temperature at the ice generation position.

[0112] In other words, the installation position of the temperature sensor 150 is not limited. Needless to say, the temperature sensor 150 can be installed at multiple locations in a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A as needed.

[0113] On the other hand, the overflow pipe 170 is provided to communicate with the heat exchange flow path area H / A formed at the uppermost part in the third direction in the accommodation space of the cold water tank 100.

[0114] Such an overflow pipe 170 serves to remove pressure when overpressure is generated inside the cold water tank 100 and discharge the internal purified water to the outside.

[0115] As described above, in the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, heat exchange of the purified water flowing in from the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A partitioned by the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 is performed. The purified water at room temperature flowing into the first heat exchange flow path area H / A1 passes through the last Nth heat exchange flow path area H / An while forming a flow in the third direction that rises at least once or more, and is extracted as low-temperature purified water.

[0116] Such a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A are formed in a set number according to the number and arrangement of the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 that constitute the partition wall portion 200.

[0117] The configuration of such a partition wall portion 200 can be changed according to the size of the water purifier in which the cold water tank assembly 1 is installed.

[0118] For example, similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, the cold water tank assembly 1' can have a structure of an extended cold water tank 100' having a first heat exchange flow path area (1) which is the first heat exchange flow path area H / A1 and a 42nd heat exchange flow path area (42) which is the last heat exchange flow path area H / An according to the arrangement of the partition wall portion 200.

[0119] Such a cold water tank assembly 1' is coupled such that the first body portion 110' and the second body portion 120' are sealed through a clamp 180'. An inlet pipe 130' is formed on one side of the first body portion 110', and an outlet pipe 140' is provided on one side of the second body portion 120'.

[0120] The extended cold water tank assembly 1' is like the cold water tank assembly 1 of an embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, where heat exchange of the purified water flowing in from a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A is performed. The normal temperature purified water flowing into the first heat exchange flow path region H / A1 forms a flow in the third direction that rises at least once or more, and passes through the last Nth heat exchange flow path region H / An and is extracted as low-temperature purified water.

[0121] [Table 1] is a table comparing the cold water efficiency of a conventional cold water tank assembly and the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Conventionally, for comparison, it is a cold water tank assembly with an evaporator provided in a square tank structure. The cooling time is the time until low-temperature purified water at 10°C or lower is extracted. The random extraction temperature is the temperature of the low-temperature purified water to be extracted. The cold water extraction cup number indicates the number of cups of low-temperature purified water at 10°C or lower when the amount of cold water extracted once is taken as 120 cc as a reference. And the cold water efficiency is the value obtained by dividing the cold water extraction amount by the tank specification (the water volume of the tank).

[0123]

Table 1

[0124] Referring to [Table 1], for the conventional cold water tank assembly, the tank specification (the water volume of the tank) is 1 L, and it takes 49 minutes for the cooling time to extract cold water (low-temperature purified water) at 10°C or lower when the evaporator is operating. At this time, it can be seen that when cold water is randomly extracted until an extraction temperature exceeding 10°C appears, the cold water extraction cup number is 5 cups.

[0125] On the other hand, for the cold water tank assembly according to the present invention, when the tank specification (the water volume of the tank) is 1 L as in the conventional case, it takes 38 minutes for the cooling time to extract cold water (low-temperature purified water) at 10°C or lower when the evaporator is operating. At this time, it can be seen that when cold water is randomly extracted until an extraction temperature exceeding 10°C appears, the cold water extraction cup number is 6 cups.

[0126] In comparison, it can be seen that the cold water tank assembly 1 according to the present invention has a cooling time of 38 minutes, and the cooling time can be reduced compared to the conventional cold water tank assembly. It can also be seen that the number of cold water extraction cups is larger than before while reducing the cooling time.

[0127] Through this, it can be confirmed that the cold water efficiency of the conventional cold water tank assembly is 60%, and the cold water efficiency of the cold water tank assembly of the present invention is 72%.

[0128] Thus, it can be seen that the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention clearly improves the cold water efficiency of the tank even when the tank capacity (the volume of the water body in the tank) is the same as that of the conventional cold water tank assembly.

[0129] Thereby, the cold water tank assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be miniaturized in size compared to the conventional one, so that the design space of the water purifier can be minimized.

[0130] As described above, the cold water tank assemblies 1 and 1' according to the present invention partition the accommodation space S inside the cold water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A using the first partition wall 210 in the XZ plane and the second partition wall 220 in the XY plane, and form the maximum heat exchange flow path regions H / A in a limited space, thereby increasing the contact area between the purified water and the evaporator.

[0131] Also, the plurality of partition walls 200 including the first partition wall 210 in the XZ plane and the second partition wall 220 in the XY plane have a length in the first direction in the accommodation space, partition it into a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions H / A adjacent in the second direction or the third direction, and have a flow in which the purified water rises at least once or more, so as to maximize the contact time between the purified water and the evaporator 300, increase the capacity-to-ratio cooling efficiency, and maximize the cold water extraction amount.

[0132] Then, the flow of the refrigerant flowing into and extracted from the evaporator 300 and the flow of the purified water flowing into and extracted from the heat exchange channel area H / A have opposite flows to each other. As a result, the purified water extracted through the last heat exchange channel area H / An can be extracted at a lower temperature by exchanging heat with the ice formed in the evaporator by the refrigerant until the end to obtain a lower temperature of the purified water.

[0133] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the idea of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments presented in this specification. Those skilled in the art who understand the idea of the present invention can easily propose other embodiments by adding, changing, deleting, adding, etc. of components within the scope of the same idea, and it can also be said that this is also within the scope of the idea of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0134] 1, 1’: Chilled water tank assembly 100: Chilled water tank 101: Coupling groove 110, 110’: First body part 120, 120’: Second body part 130, 130’: Inlet pipe 131: Inlet 140, 140’: Outlet pipe 141: Outlet 142: Outlet guide 150: Temperature sensor 160: Water level sensor 170: Overflow pipe 180: Clamp 200: Partition part 210: First partition 220: Second partition 300, 300’: Evaporator 300a: Draw-out line 300b: Draw-out line 310: Main line 320: Connecting line 400: Heat insulation case S: Accommodation space U1: Opening passage

Claims

1. a cold water tank including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe through which purified water flows, forming an internal storage space and having a length in a first direction; a partition wall portion including at least one first partition wall formed in a plate shape having an XZ plane and partitioning the storage space in a second direction, and at least one second partition wall formed in a plate shape having an XY plane and intersecting the first partition wall and partitioning the storage space in a third direction, the partition wall portion having a length in the first direction and partitioning the storage space into a plurality of heat exchange flow path regions adjacent to each other in the second direction or the third direction; and an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows, the evaporator including: a main line that is drawn into the accommodating space and drawn out to the outside while passing through a plurality of the heat exchange flow passage regions in a first direction; and a connecting line in which an end of the main line is bent so that adjacent main lines are connected to each other; The partition wall has an open passage through which the connecting line and the purified water pass while communicating the adjacent heat exchange passage areas, A cold water tank assembly, in which room temperature purified water flowing into the first heat exchange flow passage area forms at least one upward flow in a third direction and passes through the Nth heat exchange flow passage area to be extracted as low temperature purified water.

2. The first partition and the second partition are 2. The cold water tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the plates cross each other at right angles to form a lattice structure.

3. The main line is The cold water tank assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the cold water tank assembly is disposed so as to pass through a center line along a first direction of the heat exchange flow passage area.

4. The cold water tank assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an edge of the partition portion is disposed so as to pressurize an inner peripheral surface of the storage space of the cold water tank.

5. The cold water tank is 2. The cold water tank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling groove on an inner circumferential surface thereof into which an edge of said partition wall is tightly fitted.

6. The cold water tank is 2. The cold water tank assembly of claim 1, having a cross-sectional shape of a closed surface having a minor axis in a second direction and a major axis in a third direction perpendicular to said second direction.

7. The cold water tank assembly includes: The cold water tank assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat insulating case that encases the cold water tank and defines a space between the heat insulating case and an outer peripheral surface of the cold water tank.

8. The space between 8. The cold water tank assembly of claim 7, wherein the space is vacuum insulated or filled with insulating material.

9. The cold water tank is a housing-shaped first body portion having a first opening; 2. The cold water tank assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second body portion having a housing shape with a second opening corresponding to and in contact with the first opening, the second body portion being sealed and joined to the first body portion.

10. a part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall is integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first body portion; The cold water tank assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the second body portion has an inner circumferential surface integrally formed with another part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall.

11. The cold water tank is a water level sensor for measuring a purified water level in the heat exchange passage area formed at the top of the receiving space in a third direction; The cold water tank assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of any one of the plurality of heat exchange passage sections.

12. The temperature sensor is The cold water tank assembly according to claim 11, disposed in a first heat exchange flow passage section in communication with the inlet water pipe.

13. The cold water tank is The cold water tank assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an overflow pipe communicating with the heat exchange passage area formed at the top of the receiving space in a third direction.

14. 2. The cold water tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the flow of refrigerant in the evaporator and the flow of purified water passing through the heat exchange passage area are configured to have flow directions opposite to each other.

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