UV LED Assembly and Water Purifier Equipped with the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of a water storage tank (51) so as to penetrate between the inside and the outside of the water storage tank; a body pipe (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to straddle the inside and the outside of the water storage tank (51); the end of the body pipe (1) on the inside of the water storage tank is sealable, after inserting and fitting the main body (6-1) of a UV LED sub-assembly (41) into the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1) from the outside of the water storage tank, a stop nut (10) that is screwed to one side of the end of the body pipe (1) disposed on the outside of the water storage tank to secure the UV LED sub-assembly (41) in the hollow portion (100), and relates to a UV LED assembly for sterilization inside a water storage tank of a water purifier and a water purifier equipped with the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water purifier. Specifically, it relates to a technique of installing a UV LED lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light on the water of a water purifier in order to sterilize harmful bacteria that may exist in the water stored in the water purifier.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there have been water purifiers that purify the water stored in the water purifier by UV LEDs.

[0003] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 of the prior art, the temporary water storage tank (120) and the main water storage tank (130) of the water purifier are each provided with a UV LED sterilization unit (124, 134).

[0004] However, the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) built into the water in the temporary water storage tank (120) and the main water storage tank (130) have a problem that they frequently malfunction due to water intrusion, abnormal surge current, etc.

[0005] Therefore, in order to replace the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134), the water storage tanks (120, 130) containing the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) have to be cut, and the attached assembly devices connecting the former UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) and the water storage tanks (120, 130) also have to be disassembled or cut, and the maintenance process was very complicated.

[0006] Therefore, conventionally, when the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) malfunctioned, in many cases, the entire water storage tank containing the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) was replaced, and as a result, there was a problem that the maintenance cost of the water purifier increased.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] To solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention enables the "UV LED sub-assembly" equipped with a frequently malfunctioning UV LED lamp to be replaced very easily from outside the water storage tank without disassembling or opening the water storage tank.

[0008] Thus, a user or administrator of a water purifier who has checked a lamp or the like that notifies of a malfunction of the "UV LED sub-assembly" equipped with a UV LED lamp during use of the water purifier can turn and open a stop nut located outside the water storage tank of the water purifier, remove the malfunctioning UV LED sub-assembly, insert a new UV LED sub-assembly, and then turn and tighten the stop nut again to complete the replacement.

[0009] Since the UV LED sub-assembly can be replaced in such a very simple manner, the water purifier to which the present invention is applied can shorten the maintenance time, and since there is no occurrence of discarding the water purifier itself due to a malfunction of the sterilization device caused by the difficulty of maintenance, the life of the water purifier is consequently extended.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The UV LED assembly for sterilization inside the water storage tank of the water purifier of the present invention for solving the above problems and the water purifier equipped with the same are as follows.

[0011] A through hole (52) opened in one side wall of the water storage tank (51) so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the water storage tank; A body tube (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to straddle the inside and outside of the water storage tank (51); The end of the body tube (1) on the inside of the water storage tank is sealable, After inserting and fitting the main body (6-1) of the UV LED sub-assembly (41) into the hollow portion (100) of the body tube (1) from the outside of the water storage tank, Characterized by including a stop nut (10) that is screwed to one side of the end of the body tube (1) disposed on the outside of the water storage tank to fix the UV LED sub-assembly (41) in the hollow portion (100).

[0012] Further, the shape of the body tube (1) is such that at a position a certain distance away from one end of the body tube (1), along the outer periphery of the body tube (1), a body tube dividing plate (32) with a certain thickness is integrally provided perpendicular to the body tube (1),

[0013] characterized in that a first side spiral tube (33) and a second side spiral tube (34) are respectively formed on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the body tube (1) with reference to the body tube dividing plate (32) fixed to the body tube (1).

[0014] On the other hand, after inserting the body tube packing (8) into the first side spiral tube (33) of the body tube (1), the end of the first side spiral tube (33) is inserted into a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water storage tank from the inner side of the water storage tank (51), and the body tube stopper nut (9) on the outer side of the water storage tank (51) is tightly coupled to the first side spiral tube (33).

[0015] Furthermore, an O-ring (12) is inserted into the second side spiral tube (34) of the body tube (1), the outer periphery of the quartz glass (2) is fitted into the inner peripheral internal groove (3-1) of the glass packing (3),

[0016] after tightly fitting the quartz glass (2) with the glass packing (3) fitted on its outer periphery into the hollow part of the glass stopper nut (4) to seal the hollow part, the glass stopper nut (4) is tightly coupled to the second side spiral tube (34).

[0017] On the other hand, the UV LED sub-assembly (41) is composed of a combination of a stopper nut packing (11), a PCB stopper nut (7), a PCB assembly (5), and a PCB holder (6),

[0018] The PCB stop nut (7) and the PCB assembly (5) are both inserted and coupled into the hollow portion of the PCB holder (6) to form an integrated unit, and a stop nut packing (11) is coupled to the lower portion of the PCB stop nut (7).

[0019] Also, in order to closely attach and fix the UV LED sub-assembly (41) to the hollow portion (100) of the body tube (1), an O-ring (13) is further disposed in front of the UV LED sub-assembly (41).

[0020] Furthermore, a UV LED lamp (5-1) is mounted on the front end portion of the PCB assembly (5), and the ultraviolet rays projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) pass through the transparent quartz glass (2) to sterilize bacteria that may be present in the water inside the water storage tank.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The present invention enables the "UV LED sub-assembly" equipped with a UV LED lamp that frequently malfunctions to be replaced very easily from outside the water storage tank without disassembling or opening the water storage tank.

[0022] Therefore, the maintenance time can be significantly shortened, and there is no occurrence of discarding the water purifier itself due to the failure of the sterilization device caused by the difficulty of maintenance, and as a result, the lifespan of the water purifier is extended.

[0023] Also, in the UV LED assembly of the present invention, a large number of O-rings and packings are applied to prevent the intrusion of moisture and humidity, and the failure of the UV LED lamp can be minimized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 2a

Figure 2b

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b, the present invention includes A through hole (52) opened in one side wall of the water storage tank (51) so that the inside and outside of the water storage tank communicate with each other; A body tube (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to straddle the inside and outside of the water storage tank (51); The end of the body tube (1) on the inside of the water storage tank is sealable, After inserting and fitting the main body (6-1) of the UV LED sub-assembly (41) into the hollow portion (100) of the body tube (1) from the outside of the water storage tank, A UV LED assembly for sterilization inside a water purifier storage tank, characterized by including a stop nut (10) that is screwed to one side of the end of a body pipe (1) disposed on the outer side of the storage tank and secures the UV LED sub-assembly (41) in the hollow part (100).

[0026] Specifically, the end of the body pipe (1) on the inner side of the storage tank is sealed by packing, an O-ring, a nut, quartz glass, etc., minimizing the intrusion of moisture into the body pipe and achieving waterproofing.

[0027] Next, referring to FIGS. 1b and 9, the definition and organic structure of the "UV LED sub-assembly (41)" will be described.

[0028] The "UV LED sub-assembly (41)" is combinatorially constituted by a stop nut packing (11), a PCB stop nut (7), a PCB assembly (5), and a PCB holder (6).

[0029] The PCB stop nut (7) and the PCB assembly (5) are both inserted and joined into the hollow part of the PCB holder (6) to form an integral type, and a stop nut packing (11) is joined to the lower part of the PCB stop nut (7).

[0030] As shown in the shape of FIG. 2a, the inside of the PCB holder (6) is formed as a hollow part.

[0031] The PCB stop nut (7), the PCB assembly (5), and the PCB holder (6) are integrated so as not to be decomposed by urethane, and this is defined as the "main body (6-1) of the UV LED sub-assembly (41)" (see FIG. 9).

[0032] That is, a configuration in which a stop nut packing (11) is added to the main body (6-1) of the UV LED sub-assembly (41) is defined as the "UV LED sub-assembly (41)" (see FIG. 1b).

[0033] FIG. 9 shows the main body (6-1) of a UV LED sub-assembly (41) that can be inserted into the hollow portion (100) of the body tube.

[0034] On the other hand, when the UV LED lamp (5-1) mounted on the front end of the PCB assembly (5) of the water purifier fails, the administrator or user of the water purifier can manually turn and open the stop nut (10), remove the failed UV LED sub-assembly (41) behind the stop nut (10), then install a new UV LED sub-assembly (41) there, and manually turn the stop nut (10) to couple it with the first side spiral tube (33), and the replacement and maintenance of the UV LED assembly for sterilization in the storage tank will be completed.

[0035] Next, the shape of the body tube (1) shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 will be described.

[0036] The body tube is installed so as to communicate the inside and outside of the storage tank while passing through one side wall of the storage tank.

[0037] The shape of the body tube (1) is such that a body tube dividing plate (32) having a certain thickness along the outer periphery of the body tube (1) is integrally provided perpendicular to the body tube (1) at a position a certain distance away from one end of the body tube (1).

[0038] Since the body tube dividing plate (32) needs to be designed so as not to pass through the through hole (52) formed in the storage tank wall when the body tube (1) is inserted and fixed to the storage tank wall, the diameter of the body tube dividing plate (32) needs to be larger than the through hole (52) by a certain amount or more.

[0039] Also, with the body tube dividing plate (32) fixed to the body tube (1) as a reference, a first side spiral tube (33) and a second side spiral tube (34) are respectively formed on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the body tube (1).

[0040] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the structure in which the body tube (1) is fixed to one side wall of the water storage tank will be described.

[0041] After inserting the body tube packing (8) into the first side spiral tube (33) of the body tube (1), the end of the first side spiral tube (33) is inserted into the through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water storage tank from the inner side of the water storage tank (51), and the body tube stop nut (9) on the outer side of the water storage tank (51) is rotated to be closely adhered and connected to the first side spiral tube (33).

[0042] In this way, with the silicon body tube packing (8) in close contact with the wall surface of the water storage tank, the body tube packing (8) is crimped between the body tube dividing plate (32) and the body tube stop nut (9), so the body tube (1) is firmly connected to the through hole (52) of the water storage tank with high sealing performance.

[0043] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the connection relationship between the second side spiral tube (34) and other components of the present invention will be described.

[0044] An O-ring (12) is inserted into the second side spiral tube (34) of the body tube (1), and the outer periphery of the quartz glass (2) is fitted into the inner peripheral internal groove (3-1) of the glass packing (3).

[0045] Furthermore, the transparent quartz glass (2) with the glass packing (3) fitted on its outer periphery is closely adhered to the hollow part of the glass stop nut (4) to seal the hollow part, and then the glass stop nut (4) is closely adhered and connected to the second side spiral tube (34).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the ultraviolet rays projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) pass through the transparent quartz glass (2) to sterilize the water stored in the water storage tank.

[0047] Therefore, the product of the quartz glass (2) must be transparent without foreign matter and must not have scratches. Also, the ultraviolet transmittance of the quartz glass (2) needs to be 90% or more.

[0048] Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, the definition of the "UV LED sub-assembly (41)" and its organic configuration will be described.

[0049] The "UV LED sub-assembly (41)" is composed of a stop nut packing (11), a PCB stop nut (7), a PCB assembly (5), and a PCB holder (6).

[0050] The PCB stop nut (7), the PCB assembly (5), and the PCB holder (6) are integrated so as not to be decomposed by urethane, and this is defined as the "main body (6-1) of the UV LED sub-assembly (41)" (see FIG. 9).

[0051] On the other hand, in order to closely attach the UV LED sub-assembly (41) to the hollow portion (100) of the body tube (1), an O-ring (13) is further arranged in front of the UV LED sub-assembly (41), and the sealing performance of the UV LED assembly can be improved.

[0052] In the present invention, the term "front" is based on FIG. 1b, the direction from the UV LED sub-assembly (41) to the water storage tank (51) is defined as "front", and the opposite direction is defined as "rear".

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, a UV LED lamp (5-1) is mounted on the front end of the PCB assembly (5), and the ultraviolet rays projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) pass through the transparent quartz glass (2) to sterilize bacteria that may exist in the water inside the water storage tank.

[0054] Next, the main components of the present invention are manufactured from the following materials.

[0055] The body tube (1), the glass stop nut (4), the body tube stop nut (9), and the stop nut (10) are manufactured from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0056] The PPS is a thermoplastic resin excellent in mechanical properties such as strength, heat resistance, electrical insulation, and dimensional stability.

[0057] Also, the glass packing (3), O-rings (12, 13), body tube packing (8), and stop nut packing (11) are made of silicon.

[0058] On the other hand, the PCB holder (6) and the PCB stop nut (7) are made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

Explanation of Symbols

[0059] 1: Body tube 2: Quartz glass 3: Glass packing 3-1: Inner peripheral internal groove of glass packing 4: Glass stop nut 5: PCB assembly 5-1: UV LED lamp 6: PCB holder 6-1: Body 7: PCB stop nut 8: Body tube packing 9: Body tube stop nut 10: Stop nut 11: Stop nut packing 12, 13: O-rings 32: Body tube dividing plate 33: First side spiral tube 34: Second side spiral tube 41: UV LED sub-assembly 51: Water storage tank 52: Water storage tank through hole 100: Hollow part of body tube 700: UV LED assembly after assembling water storage tank

Claims

1. A through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water storage tank (51) so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the water storage tank; A body pipe (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to straddle the inside and outside of the water storage tank (51); The end of the body pipe (1) on the inner side of the water storage tank is sealable, After inserting and fitting the main body (6-1) of the UV LED sub-assembly (41) integrated with urethane into the hollow part (100) of the body pipe (1) from the outer side of the water storage tank, A stop nut (10) is included which is screwed to one side of the end of the body pipe (1) arranged on the outer side of the water storage tank to fix the UV LED sub-assembly (41) in the hollow part (100); The UV LED sub-assembly (41) is combined and configured by a stop nut packing (11), a PCB stop nut (7), a PCB assembly (5), and a PCB holder (6), The PCB stop nut (7) and the PCB assembly (5) are both inserted and joined into the hollow part of the PCB holder (6) integrated with urethane so as not to be decomposed, and a stop nut packing (11) is joined to the lower part of the PCB stop nut (7). A water purifier characterized by this.

2. The shape of the body pipe (1) is such that at a position a certain distance away from one end of the body pipe (1), a body pipe dividing plate (32) with a certain thickness is integrally provided along the outer circumference of the body pipe (1) perpendicular to the body pipe (1), Based on the body pipe dividing plate (32) fixed to the body pipe (1), a first side spiral pipe (33) and a second side spiral pipe (34) are respectively formed on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the body pipe (1). The water purifier according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. After inserting a body pipe packing (8) into the first side spiral pipe (33) of the body pipe (1), the end of the first side spiral pipe (33) is inserted into a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water storage tank from the inner side of the water storage tank (51), and a body pipe stop nut (9) on the outer side of the water storage tank (51) is closely adhered and joined to the first side spiral pipe (33). The water purifier according to Claim 2, characterized by this.

4. An O-ring (12) is inserted into the second side spiral pipe (34) of the body pipe (1), and the outer circumference of the quartz glass (2) is fitted into the inner circumferential internal groove (3-1) of the glass packing (3), After closely attaching the fused silica glass (2) with the glass packing (3) fitted on the outer periphery thereof to the hollow portion of the glass stop nut (4) to seal the hollow portion, the water purifier according to claim 3, wherein the glass stop nut (4) is closely attached to and coupled with the second spiral tube (34).

5. The water purifier according to claim 4, further comprising an O-ring (13) disposed in front of the UV LED sub-assembly (41) in order to closely attach and mount the UV LED sub-assembly (41) to the hollow portion (100) of the body tube (1).

6. The water purifier according to claim 5, wherein a UV LED lamp (5-1) is mounted on the front end portion of the PCB assembly (5), and ultraviolet rays projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) pass through the transparent fused silica glass (2) to sterilize bacteria that may be present in the water inside the water storage tank.

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