Food waste disposer

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a food waste processor comprising: an input unit comprising an input cover covering an input opening and a cover guide fixed inside the input opening and guiding the input cover; a solid-liquid separation unit receiving food waste from the input opening, separating liquid from the food waste, and dropping the solid food waste to the lower part; and a decomposition unit disposed below the solid-liquid separation unit and comprising a stirring module that mixes the dropped food waste with microorganisms, wherein the operation of the solid-liquid separation unit and the decomposition unit begins when the input cover rotates on the cover guide. Therefore, the presence of the processor can be recognized by the user by placing it in the input opening without any special attention, regardless of the cover orientation. In addition, a cover sheet indicating the current status is provided at the input opening, allowing the user to be warned of malfunction or given an alarm about the current status.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a food waste processor, and more specifically, to a built-in type of food waste processor that can be installed inside a sink cabinet.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, food waste processors are classified into a built-in type (built-in type) that is provided under a sink cabinet and directly injects food waste from a sink cabinet inlet for processing, and a standing type that is provided separately from the sink cabinet and collects and processes dehydrated solid food waste.

[0003] In the case of a standing type food waste processor, dehydrated solid food waste is collected, and mainly, decomposition into inorganic substances proceeds by decomposition using microorganisms, and the decomposed decomposition products are collected and discharged.

[0004] On the other hand, in the case of a sink cabinet built-in type food waste processor, it includes a crusher that crushes the food waste introduced through the inlet, and a dehydrator that dehydrates the crushed food waste.

[0005] Generally, the crushing and dehydration treatment of food waste is configured to be performed sequentially. The food waste passes through the crusher, through the dehydrator, and is loaded into the loading cylinder, and the liquid separated from the food waste is discharged through the drain hose. Also, the remaining food waste is collected in the food waste collection box, and when a certain amount accumulates, it is discarded.

[0006] Users select and use a food waste processor according to the food waste treatment method and installation method in consideration of various circumstances such as environmental conditions and preferences.

[0007] However, both built-in and stand-alone food waste disposers collect food waste for a set period of time for processing, during which time the food waste decomposes and emits foul odors. In addition, there is internal movement due to agitation and movement, and the disposer must operate with the input opening sealed as much as possible by the input cover.

[0008] Research has been conducted on various covers for food waste disposers for this purpose.

[0009] As an example, international patent WO2012-121539A2 discloses a structure in which three magnetic materials are inserted into the inlet cover of a food waste processing device, protrusions are formed corresponding to these positions, and locking slots are positioned to match these protrusions. Thus, when the user rotates the cover to position it in the inlet, the cover is locked into the inlet.

[0010] This allows the system to detect the presence of the cover by simultaneously locking and sensing a magnetic material, thereby enabling the food waste disposer to proceed with its operation.

[0011] However, in the case of international patent WO2012-121539A2, there is the inconvenience that the user must carefully close the cover to align with the protrusions and slots, and in the sink area where food waste and leftovers are often present, the raised or recessed structures such as protrusions and slots on the cover are highly likely to be contaminated by water and food waste.

[0012] Accordingly, International Patent WO2016-088939A1 discloses a cover that can be opened and closed at the inlet, and a safety sensor that senses whether the cover can be opened or closed on one side of the inlet that is in contact with the cover. The structure is such that if the safety sensor detects that the cover is opened while food waste and microorganisms are being stirred inside the processing machine, the stirring will be stopped.

[0013] Such a safety sensor is presented as a magnetic sensor comprising a magnetic material and a reed switch, wherein the magnetic material is coupled to one side of the cover, and the reed switch is provided in the inlet corresponding to the magnetic material.

[0014] However, even under international patent WO2016-088939A1, users are required to take care to position the cover so that the magnetic material on the cover matches the position of the reed switch at the inlet.

[0015] Therefore, a food waste cover structure is needed that allows the user to check the cover's position while simultaneously confirming the presence or absence of the cover regardless of its location, without requiring any attachment.

[0016] Furthermore, a control method is needed that can start the food waste disposer by recognizing a simple movement of the cover, without requiring a separate start button. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0017] International Patent WO2012-1212539A2 (Publication Date: 2012.09.13.) International Patent WO2016-088939A1 (Publication Date: 2016.06.09) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0018] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a built-in type food waste disposer that integrates with a sink and can collect and remove composted food waste by allowing fermentation to proceed without crushing the food waste.

[0019] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a cover structure and control method that allows the user to recognize the presence of the cover by placing it over the input slot without requiring special attention, and to recognize a start command by a simple operation.

[0020] Also, by smoothly forming the inlet of the food waste processor without a concave or convex protruding structure, a cover structure that can minimize contamination by food waste is provided.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0021] One embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inlet cover that covers the inlet, an inlet section including a cover guide that is fixed within the inlet and guides the inlet cover, a solid-liquid separation section that accommodates food waste from the inlet, separates liquid from the food waste, and drops the solid food waste downward, and a decomposition section that is disposed below the solid-liquid separation section and includes a stirring module that stirs and mixes the dropped food waste with microorganisms. When the inlet cover rotates on the cover guide, a food waste processor is provided in which the operations of the solid-liquid separation section and the decomposition section start.

[0022] The inlet is defined as the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section, and the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section, the cover guide, and the inlet cover may form concentric circles.

[0023] The cover guide may include a side surface that overlaps with the inner side surface of the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section, and a fixing surface that is bent inward from the lower part of the side surface to fix the inlet cover.

[0024] The side surface of the cover guide may include an extended rim having a slope in part.

[0025] The fixing surface of the cover guide may be formed in a C shape with a part open.

[0026] The side surface of the cover guide may include a rocker slot that penetrates a rocker arm along a curved surface.

[0027] The inlet cover may allow liquid from above to flow downward through the open area of the fixing surface while being placed on the fixing surface of the cover guide.

[0028] The input cover may include an upper plate and a cover body located below the upper plate, having a diameter narrower than the upper plate and a predetermined thickness.

[0029] The input cover may be formed in the shape of a disc.

[0030] The input cover may have a flat shape without any irregularities on its surface.

[0031] The cover body may contain multiple magnets, and these multiple magnets may be spaced apart at the same first angle.

[0032] At the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section, at least two sensors for detecting the presence of the multiple magnets may be arranged at a second angle apart.

[0033] The second angle may be different from the first angle.

[0034] The second angle may be greater than the first angle.

[0035] When the at least two sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, the angle at which the first sensor detects a change in the state of the magnet and the angle at which the second sensor detects a change in the state of the magnet may be different when the input cover is rotated.

[0036] The sensing signals from the first sensor and the second sensor may be read periodically, and it may be determined that the opening cover has rotated when a change in the state of the first sensor and the second sensor occurs within a critical time.

[0037] The input cover includes six magnets, each separated by a first angle of 60 degrees, and the first sensor and the second sensor may be separated by a second angle of 90 degrees.

[0038] The cover guide may further include a light-emitting guide section in the inclined region of the expansion rim that indicates the status of the food waste disposer to the user.

[0039] The inlet of the solid-liquid separation section may further include a lighting module in a region that matches the light-emitting guide section, which emits specific light depending on the state of the food waste processor.

[0040] The solid-liquid separation unit may further include a rocker module that, upon determining that the food waste processor has started operating due to the rotation of the input cover, pushes out a rocker arm from the side of the inlet through the rocker slot to fix the input cover in place.

[0041] A food waste processor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: an input cover that covers an input opening; an input section having a cover guide fixed inside the input opening and guiding the input cover; a solid-liquid separation section that receives food waste from the input opening, separates the liquid from the food waste, and drops the solid food waste to the bottom; a decomposition section disposed below the solid-liquid separation section and having a stirring module that mixes the dropped food waste with microorganisms; a plurality of magnets arranged spaced apart from each other in the input cover; at least two sensors disposed in the solid-liquid separation section that sense the presence of the plurality of magnets; and a control unit that operates at least one of the solid-liquid separation section and the decomposition section according to sensing values ​​input from the sensors by the movement of the input cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0042] Through the above solution, the food waste disposer facilitates post-processing by decomposing food waste with microorganisms, making it environmentally friendly.

[0043] According to at least one of the embodiments of this disclosure, a sink-integrated food waste disposer allows fermentation to proceed in a solid state without grinding the food waste, preventing the discharge of food waste into the drain due to grinding, and is environmentally friendly.

[0044] One embodiment of the present disclosure can be recognized by the user by placing it in the slot without any special attention, regardless of the cover orientation. Furthermore, a cover portion indicating the current state is provided at the slot, allowing the user to be warned of malfunction or alarmed about the current state.

[0045] Furthermore, the start command can be recognized by the simple, non-directional rotation of the cover, and operation is possible with a simple motion of rotating the cover at or above the minimum angle after it has been placed in the input slot.

[0046] Furthermore, by forming the input port of the food waste processor smoothly without any recessed or raised protruding structures, contamination by food waste can be minimized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of this specification. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the main body and lower module of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of this specification. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of a food waste disposer. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front view showing the inside of the food waste disposer. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the input section of the food waste disposer. [Figure 6] Figure a is a partial cross-sectional view of the input section in Figure 5, cut along line I-I', and figure b is a detailed perspective view of the cover section and cover guide. [Figure 7a] Figure 1 is a detailed view of the solid-liquid separation section of the first embodiment of the food waste processing machine. [Figure 7b] Figure 1 is a detailed view of the solid-liquid separation section of the first embodiment of the food waste processing machine. [Figure 7c] Figure 1 is a detailed view of the solid-liquid separation section of the first embodiment of the food waste processing machine. [Figure 7d] Figure 1 is a detailed view of the solid-liquid separation section of the first embodiment of the food waste processing machine. [Figure 8]Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of the lower module of the food waste disposer. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of the transfer section of the lower module of the food waste disposer. [Figure 10a] This is a diagram showing the connection between the transfer unit and the collection unit. [Figure 10b] This is a diagram showing the connection between the transfer unit and the collection unit. [Figure 11] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram showing the wastewater deodorization module of a food waste disposer. [Figure 12a] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the food waste disposer. [Figure 12b] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the food waste disposer. [Figure 12c] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the food waste disposer. [Figure 12d] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the food waste disposer. [Figure 13a] Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view and a top view illustrating the connection between the input section and the solid-liquid separation section. [Figure 13b] Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view and a top view illustrating the connection between the input section and the solid-liquid separation section. [Figure 14] Figure 13b is a partial cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the input section along line II-II'. [Figure 15] Figure 13b is a partial cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the input section along line III-III'. [Figure 16] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the rocker module that secures the input section and the solid-liquid separation section. [Figure 17a] Figure 16 is a diagram showing the fixing operation of the input section and the solid-liquid separation section by the rocker module. [Figure 17b] Figure 16 is a diagram showing the fixing operation of the input section and the solid-liquid separation section by the rocker module. [Figure 18a] This diagram shows the state of the rotation of the input cover according to the first application example. [Figure 18c] This diagram shows the state of the rotation of the input cover according to the first application example. [Figure 19]These are waveform diagrams showing the sensing signals from the first and second sensors in Figures 18a and 18b. [Figure 20] This is a step-by-step diagram illustrating a method for recognizing the state of the input cover in relation to its rotation. [Figure 21] This is a sequence diagram showing a method for recognizing an emergency situation in response to the values ​​of the first and second sensors. [Figure 22a] This is a diagram showing the rotation of the input cover in the second application example. [Figure 22b] This is a diagram showing the rotation of the input cover in the second application example. [Figure 23] These are waveform diagrams showing the sensing signals from the first and second sensors in Figures 22a and 22b. [Figure 24] This is a step-by-step diagram illustrating a method for recognizing the state of the input cover in relation to its rotation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] The terms used below to refer to directions such as "front (F) / back (R) / left (Le) / right (Ri) / up (U) / down (D)" are defined as they appear in the drawings. This is merely to explain one embodiment of the present disclosure in a way that makes it easily understandable, and it is of course possible to define each direction differently depending on where the reference point is set.

[0049] The use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., before the components mentioned below is intended to avoid confusion between the components being referred to, and does not relate to any order, importance, or hierarchical relationship between the components. For example, embodiments including only the second component without the first component are also possible.

[0050] In the drawings, the thickness and size of each component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically represented for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Furthermore, the size and area of ​​each component do not fully reflect their actual size and area.

[0051] Furthermore, angles and directions mentioned in the process of describing the structure of one embodiment of this disclosure shall be based on those shown in the drawings. If the reference point and positional relationship to an angle are not explicitly mentioned in the description of the structure in the specification, refer to the relevant drawings.

[0052] In the following, a food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0053] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of this specification, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body 700 and lower module 750 of the food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of this specification, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the interior of the food waste disposer 10 of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a front view showing the interior of the food waste disposer 10 of Figure 1.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the food waste processor 10 uses a microbial decomposition method, where food waste, which is the material to be processed, flows into an inlet 11 located at the upper end of the food waste processor 10 and undergoes a decomposition process inside the food waste processor 10. The composted material, which is formed when the food waste is decomposed by microorganisms, is discharged to an outlet 12 located at the lower end of the food waste processor 10, collected in a collection unit 500, and can be discharged to the outside all at once.

[0055] The food waste disposer 10 can be integrated into the interior 3 of the sink unit 1. When the food waste disposer 10 is built into the sink unit 1, the input section 100 of the food waste disposer 10 may be provided in a size and shape that corresponds to the drain outlet 4 at the bottom of the sink bowl 2. Therefore, when the food waste disposer 10 is installed in the sink unit 1, it can be conveniently used by connecting the input section 100 of the food waste disposer 10 to the drain outlet 4 of the existing sink bowl 2, without the need to provide a separate sink bowl 2 for connection.

[0056] A food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which is built into the interior 3 of the sink unit 1, is realized to have an upper surface positioned parallel to the sink bowl 2 of the sink unit 1, a lower surface parallel to the upper surface and facing the bottom of the sink unit 1, and front, rear, left and right sides between the upper and lower surfaces, and to have an internal space.

[0057] The front of the food waste disposer 10 is defined as the side facing the user when the user is standing in front of the sink unit 1, and the rear is defined as the side parallel to the front and facing the rear of the sink unit 1, with the side folded to the left of the front being defined as the left side and the side folded to the right of the front being defined as the right side.

[0058] In Figures 1 and 2, the upper and lower surfaces of the food waste disposer 10 have different areas, and a recessed area 15 is formed on the back due to the difference in area between the upper and lower surfaces. The distributor (not shown) inside the sink base 1 may be located in the recessed area 15 on the back.

[0059] The left and right sides are also made up of a rectangular shape in which at least a portion of the edge facing the back is recessed by the back recessed portion 15.

[0060] Therefore, although the food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has an overall hexahedral shape, a part of the lower rear is recessed, and can be equipped in various ways depending on the shape of the sink base 1. That is, as long as the top input section 100 of the food waste disposer 10 can be connected to the drain outlet 4 of the sink base 1, and the drainage / deodorization module 600 of the food waste disposer 10 can be connected to the drain pipe of the sink base 1, any structure can be modified as long as there is internal space.

[0061] The food waste disposer 10 has an inlet 11 located on the top surface of the food waste disposer 10, and consists of an upper module 710 which is connected to the inlet and implements a solid-liquid separation unit 200 that separates the food waste being fed in into solid and liquid and transports the solid, and a lower module 750 which is located below the upper module 710.

[0062] The upper module 710 may be equipped with a display unit 14 on the front of the food waste disposer 10, and is integrated with the main body 700 (overall housing) of the food waste disposer 10.

[0063] The display unit 14 may also display information such as the temperature and humidity inside the decomposition unit 300, the degree of decomposition, and the remaining amount in the collection unit 500.

[0064] The lower module 750 is a functional module for receiving food waste from the upper module 710, fermenting and preserving it, and is integrated into a single module, and is separable from the main body 700 on which the upper module 710 is located.

[0065] The lower module 750 may be pulled out from the front of the food waste processor 10 in a first direction, i.e., in the front-to-back direction, and separated from the main body 700. Separation of the lower module 750 makes it possible to directly collect the decomposed material and microorganisms that are decomposed in the decomposition unit 300 installed in the lower module 750, and to clean the inside of the decomposition unit 300.

[0066] Various techniques can be applied to facilitate the assembly and separation of the lower module 750 from the main body 700. For example, the lower module 750 can be detached from the main body 700 by being pulled out.

[0067] The input cover 111 covers the entrance 11 so that it can be opened and closed, but is also provided to cover most of the area of ​​the entrance 11 so that the foul odor of the food waste being put in does not leak out.

[0068] The collection unit 500 stores the decomposed food waste, which is rotten material. The collection unit 500 has a sealed structure so that the foul odor generated inside the food waste processor 10 does not leak out.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the food waste disposer 10 has a water supply unit 730 connected to a water supply pipe formed in the sink base 1 to supply moisture to the interior, and a drainage / deodorizing module 600 connected to a drainage pipe formed in the sink base 1. The liquid discharged after separating the solids and liquids of the food waste is immediately discharged, while the malodorous odor or moisture discharged from each module is guided to be discharged to the drainage pipe via the drainage / deodorizing module 600. Therefore, since it has a structure that is directly connected to the water supply pipe and drainage pipe of the sink base 1 and does not have a separate hole to discharge malodorous odor to the outside, when the food waste disposer 10 is in operation, the interior has a sealed structure when the input cover 111 is placed over the inlet 11.

[0070] The collection unit 500, which is connected to the outlet 12 of the food waste disposer 10, is detachable from the outlet 12. The detached collection unit 500 can be emptied of the contained compost and reassembled into the food waste disposer 10. The collection unit 500 can be permanently fixed to the food waste disposer 10.

[0071] The input cover 111 may be circular in shape so that it can be rotated at the inlet 11. Specifically, the input cover 111 can be secured by simply being sandwiched between the input opening 11 to ensure a tight seal between the input cover 111 and the input opening 11. Therefore, the connection between the input cover 111 and the input opening 11 is required to be such that they fit or are secured without engaging with the inlet 11 in any way, such as with a screw structure.

[0072] Furthermore, if the input cover 111 rotates beyond a predetermined angle while it is fixed in place, the sensor will detect the rotation, allowing the sensor to recognize that the input cover 111 has been fixed in place and that it has started to operate.

[0073] In other words, the rotation of the input cover 111 may be used as an operating switch for the food waste disposer 10. For example, the input cover 111 and the input section 100 to which the input cover 111 is connected may be equipped with a sensing structure of a magnet and a Hall sensor. That is, after the input cover 111 is fastened to the inlet 11, the Hall sensor periodically senses the magnet while the cover rotates, thereby recognizing the rotational movement and thus recognizing the start of operation.

[0074] In other words, the operation of fixing the input cover 111 and the command to start the operation of the food waste disposer 10 can be recognized separately. Therefore, the operation of fixing the input cover 111 to prevent foul odors and the rotation operation for the command to start the operation of the food waste disposer 10 are separated, enabling accurate operation while minimizing user intervention.

[0075] Figures 3 and 4 are a perspective view and a front view showing the interior of a food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] The following description will be based on the configuration of the food waste processing process of the food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0077] The input section 100 is the inlet 11 of the food waste processor 10, which guides the food waste into it and transmits it to the solid-liquid separation section 200 below.

[0078] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 is located below the input unit 100 and separates the liquid from the food waste that has moved from the input unit 100. For the food waste to decompose easily, it is preferable that it has a function rate below a certain level, and the solid-liquid separation unit 200 plays the role of separating the liquid without crushing and discharging it to the external sink drain via the drainage / deodorization module 600.

[0079] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 may receive water from a water supply unit connected to an external sink water supply pipe and supply it to the decomposition unit 300 below. The inside of the decomposition unit 300 must maintain a predetermined amount of humidity for microbial activity, and this humidity may be sprayed from the water supply unit 730 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200.

[0080] A water supply section 730 is formed that penetrates from the outside to the inside of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation section 200, and a water supply pipe can extend from such a water supply section 730 so as to connect to an external water supply pipe. On the other hand, the internal water supply pipe 730 provided inside the food waste processor 10 connects the solid-liquid separation section 200 to the external sink water supply pipe via a pipe connection section 732, and the internal drainage / deodorization module 600 connects the solid-liquid separation section 200 to the external drain outlet via a pipe connection section 680 (see Figure 11a). The internal drainage / deodorization module 600 is partially branched and connected to perform a deodorizing function, and also functions as a deodorization module that discharges malodorous odors along with liquid to the external drain outlet.

[0081] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 moves only the solid material from which the liquid has been separated, from the food waste introduced from the input unit 100, in a straight line or rotational motion on a horizontal plane, and drops it into the decomposition unit 300 below.

[0082] The decomposition unit 300 can decompose solid food waste through the use of microorganisms. The decomposition unit 300 is located below the solid-liquid separation unit 200, within the lower module 750, and receives the food waste from which the liquid has been removed, which is then mixed with microorganisms and composted into decomposed ferment. The food waste that is decomposed into ferment has small particle sizes and is broken down into a uniform, compost-like form without the need for further crushing.

[0083] Therefore, because the decomposed material has a small particle size and low weight, it can move along a relatively large trajectory due to stirring by the stirring member 350 and be fed into the transfer unit 400 located at the top.

[0084] The collection unit 500 temporarily stores food waste that has been decomposed in the decomposition unit 300 and is then discharged to the outside of the food waste processor 10. The collection unit 500 may be arranged horizontally with respect to the decomposition unit 300. The decomposition unit 300 and the collection unit 500 can be separated by a side wall 360, and the decomposed material from the decomposition unit 300 can be moved to the collection unit 500 through a side wall opening formed in the side wall 360.

[0085] The transfer unit 400 transfers at least a portion of the compost generated by decomposition in the decomposition unit 300 to the collection unit 500. The transfer unit 400 is positioned horizontally with the decomposition unit 300 and above the collection unit 500, allowing the food waste from the decomposition unit 300 to be moved through the inlet 361 in the side wall 360 and through the top opening of the collection unit 500. The transfer unit 400 moves the food waste from the decomposition unit 300 to the collection unit 500 by mechanical drive.

[0086] In other words, when the light, small particles of decaying material are moved upward by the agitation of the decomposition section 300, they are drawn into the transfer section 400 through the inlet 361 of the side wall 360, and are then mechanically driven by the transfer section 400 to be dropped through the outlet 12 into the upper opening of the collection section 500.

[0087] The main body 700, which determines the external appearance and internal volume of the food waste disposer 10, mounts each module.

[0088] Specifically, the input section 100 and the solid-liquid separation section 200 are integrated into the housing of the main body 700, which forms the exterior of the food waste processor 10 as the upper module 710, while the disassembly section 300, collection section 500, and transfer section 400 are mounted in a pull-out type lower module 750 that is physically separable from the housing of the main body 700.

[0089] The following sections will explain the detailed configuration of each individual functional module, referring to the respective diagrams.

[0090] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the input section of the food waste processor 10 in Figure 1, Figure 6a is a partial cross-sectional view of the input section 100 in Figure 5 cut along line I-I', and Figure 6b is a detailed perspective view of the input cover and cover guide.

[0091] A food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an input section 100 that protrudes from the upper surface of the main body 700 and is aligned with the drain outlet 4 on the bottom surface of the sink bowl 2 of the sink counter 1.

[0092] The input section 100 includes a sink rack 120 connected to the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section 200, an input cover 111, and a cover guide 130 assembled with the input cover 111 that senses the presence and start of operation of the input cover 111.

[0093] The inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is inserted into the drain outlet 4 on the bottom surface of the sink bowl 2 and connected to the upper opening of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 inside the sink stand 1, forming the input inlet 11 of the food waste disposer 10.

[0094] The inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is formed to have the same diameter as, or a smaller diameter than, the drain outlet 4 at the bottom of the sink bowl 2. Generally, the diameter of the drain outlet 4 is standardized, and the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 can also be manufactured, distributed, and sold in accordance with this standard.

[0095] As shown in Figures 5 and 6a, the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation section 200 is formed to cover and compensate for the separation space caused by the difference in diameter between the sink bowl 1's drain outlet 4 and the side surface, by extending from the side surface to the upper surface of the sink bowl 2.

[0096] At this time, the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 has a step formed on its side surface, and a fixing surface is formed having a diameter even narrower than the upper opening, and the fixing surface is formed so that the cover guide 130 is fixed to it.

[0097] The sink rack 120 is formed on the side surface of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, completely covering the separation space between the sink base 1 and the sink bowl 2, and is screw-connected to the side surface of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the sink bowl 2. Therefore, the sink rack 120 connects the food waste disposer 10 and the sink base 1 within the sink bowl 2 without any separation space.

[0098] A cover guide 130 is positioned on the side surface of the sink rack 120.

[0099] The cover guide 130 has a fixing surface 137 on which the input cover 111 is fixed, and guides the fixing of the input cover 111.

[0100] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6b, the cover guide 130 has a cylindrical structure with a diameter smaller than the side surface of the sink rack 120.

[0101] The cover guide 130 includes a side surface 132 that overlaps with the side surface of the sink rack 120 within the side surface of the sink rack 120, and a fixing surface 137 that is bent inward from below the side surface 132, on which the input cover 111 is fixed.

[0102] The fixing surface 137 can support the edge of the input cover 111. For example, the fixing surface 137 may be ring-shaped. Another example is that the fixing surface 137 may be a structure of multiple spaced-apart points on a closed curve covering an arbitrary center point.

[0103] Specifically, the fixing surface 137 may have an arc shape on a closed curve that covers the center point. The fixing surface 137 may also be formed in a C shape with a portion open.

[0104] The fixing surface 137 may protrude from the side surface 132 toward the center of the cover guide 130.

[0105] Furthermore, the cover guide 130 is provided with an expanded rim 131 having a step 133 so that the cover guide 130 is fixed on the fixing surface 137 of the solid-liquid separation section 200 inlet above the side surface 132.

[0106] The expanded rim 131 can be formed such that its inner surface is inclined to have a predetermined slope from the upper end to the lower end, and the diameter of its cross-section decreases as it goes downwards.

[0107] In this case, the outer surface of the expansion rim 131 can be formed vertically along the vertical direction. Therefore, a step 133 is formed between the expansion rim 131 and the side surface 132, and the cover guide 130 is supported with the step 133 straddling the fixing surface of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation section 200.

[0108] A rocker slot 134 is formed in at least a portion of the side surface 132 of the cover guide 130.

[0109] The rocker slot 134 is an opening into which the rocker 280 is pulled, and into which the input cover 111 and the cover guide 130 are fixed.

[0110] The rocker slot 134 can be formed as a rectangular opening that is long and open to have a predetermined width along the side surface 132, and may include a ridge in the middle region that slopes upward in a manner corresponding to the shape of the arm of the rocker 280.

[0111] In this case, the fixing surface 137 may be removed at the bottom in the area corresponding to the region where the rocker slot 134 is formed, but is not limited to this. That is, if the fixing surface 137 is removed, the fixing surface 137 may have a C-shape with a portion removed, rather than being ring-shaped.

[0112] On the other hand, a guide portion 136 is formed on the inner surface of the expansion rim 131 of the cover guide 130.

[0113] The guide section 136 provides a light guide path for guiding and transmitting to the upper part a guide display received from a control unit (not shown) located in the lower solid-liquid separation section 200.

[0114] In other words, the guide portion 136 is formed of a light-emitting light-guiding material and is connected to a control unit which is located adjacent to the solid-liquid separation portion 200 described below, passing through the expansion rim 131.

[0115] The guide unit 136 provides the user with a guide display emitted from the control unit. The guide display can show the current operating status of the food waste disposer 10, for example, "operating," "operation complete," or "error." The "operating," "operation complete," and "error" displays can be simply indicated by the light color, flicker, etc. Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize the set light color of the guide unit 136 and quickly recognize the current status of the food waste disposer 10.

[0116] By positioning such guide section 136 on the inclined surface of the expansion rim 131, the drain outlet 4 of the sink bowl 2 can be immediately recognized by the user when they look at it from above.

[0117] A feedback magnet 135 may be positioned below the guide portion 136 of the cover guide 130, and the feedback magnet 135 can work in conjunction with the magnet 112 of the input cover 111 to provide resistance when the input cover 111 rotates.

[0118] In this case, the magnetic force of the feedback magnet 135 may be even greater than the magnetic force of the magnet 112 of the input cover 111.

[0119] The input cover 111 flows into the side surface of the sink rack 120 of the input section 100 and is inserted so as to be placed on the fixing surface 137 of the cover guide 130.

[0120] In this case, the input cover 111 is fixed within the cover guide 130 without any separate connecting structure such as screw connections, and a cover is available to prevent food waste from detaching to the outside when the food waste disposer 10 is being operated and when it is being operated.

[0121] Specifically, the input cover 111 may be formed in the shape of a disc with a predetermined thickness so as to be rotatable on the cover guide 130, as shown in Figure 6b.

[0122] The input cover 111 can be realized by a cover housing 1111 that forms a disc and an upper plate 1112 that covers the upper part of the cover housing 1111.

[0123] The cover housing 1111 has an internal space and can be formed in a cylindrical shape. In this case, the diameter of the cover housing 1111 may be smaller than the diameter of the upper plate 1112.

[0124] A predetermined number of magnets 112 may be arranged inside the cover housing 1111 at a distance from each other.

[0125] The magnets 112 are of the same size and have the same magnetic force, and are formed to have the same polarity. Such magnets 112 are arranged to have the same separation distance and can be formed at a predetermined distance from the center point of the cover housing 1111, for example, at an angle of 360 / n. The n is defined as the number of magnets 112.

[0126] For example, if six magnets 112 are arranged, they may be arranged so that they have a separation angle of 60 degrees.

[0127] The upper plate 1112 can be made smooth and flat so as to cover the cover housing 1111 and form the upper surface of the input cover 111.

[0128] After the input cover 111 is fixed onto the fixing surface 137 of the cover guide 130, it can be rotated by a predetermined angle or more to initiate operation.

[0129] In one embodiment of the food waste disposer 10 of this disclosure, no rotation occurs for crushing or dewatering of the food waste introduced from the input section 100 and the solid-liquid separation section 200. Therefore, it is not required that the input cover 111 completely seal the input section 100, and only a covering force equivalent to preventing the discharge of foul odors that may be generated during the operation of the food waste disposer 10 by covering the drain outlet 4 is required. Therefore, engagement shapes such as screw structures are not necessarily required.

[0130] The control unit can operate at least one of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 and the decomposition unit 300 in accordance with the sensing values ​​input to the sensors 291 and 292 by the movement of the input cover 111.

[0131] However, after the input cover 111 is fixed to the inlet 11, it rotates, and the rotation of the input cover 111 is recognized by the detection of the magnet 112 mounted on the input cover 111 and the Hall sensor mounted on the control unit of the solid-liquid separation unit 200.

[0132] The rotation of the input cover 111 allows for the recognition of the command to fix the input cover 111 in place and to start its operation. In other words, the rotation of the input cover 111 can also be used as an operation switch for the food waste disposer 10.

[0133] Specifically, after the input cover 111 is fixed to the inlet 11, the Hall sensor periodically detects the magnet 112 while the cover is rotating, thereby recognizing the rotational movement and thus recognizing the command to start operation.

[0134] In other words, the control unit can distinguish between the operation of fixing the input cover 111 and the command to start the operation of the food waste disposer 10. Therefore, the operation of fixing the input cover 111 to prevent foul odors and the rotation operation for the command to start the operation of the food waste disposer 10 are separated, enabling accurate operation while minimizing user intervention.

[0135] The following describes the main body 700 and the solid-liquid separation unit 200 of the food waste disposer 10.

[0136] Figures 7a to 7d are detailed diagrams of the solid-liquid separation section of the first embodiment of the food waste processing machine shown in Figure 1.

[0137] As shown in Figures 7a, 7b, and 7d, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is located in the upper module 710 of the main body 700 of the food waste processor 10, between the input unit 100 and the decomposition unit 300.

[0138] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 performs the function of filtering out liquid from the food waste drawn into the input unit 100, that is, the food waste immediately drawn in by the sink bowl 2 of the sink unit 1, and transmitting only the solid material to the decomposition unit 300.

[0139] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 has an inlet 2011 and an outlet 208. The inlet 2011 is connected to the drain outlet 4 of the sink unit 1, as described above, and the outlet 208 is located on the lower surface of the upper module 710, that is, on the lower surface of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, and communicates with the decomposition unit 300.

[0140] For this purpose, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is provided such that at least one area overlaps the decomposition unit 300, and the outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is provided so as to be located in this overlapping area. As a result, the food waste discharged through the outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is transmitted to the decomposition unit 300 by free fall.

[0141] The inlet 2011 and outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 are not arranged in a straight line with respect to the second direction, which is the vertical direction.

[0142] For example, the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 may be positioned towards the rear of the food waste processor 10, and the outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 may be positioned towards the front of the food waste processor 10. Therefore, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 can transport the input food waste horizontally from rear to front to the decomposition unit 300.

[0143] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 includes a case 201 that defines the interior of the upper module 710.

[0144] The case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 has a shape in which the length and depth are greater than the height, and the height is even greater than the height of the filter unit 210 in which the input food waste is temporarily contained, and an inlet 2011 is provided on the upper surface of the case 201 and an outlet 208 is provided on the lower surface.

[0145] In this case, case 201 can form a hexahedron, which means not only does it have the exact shape of a hexahedron, but also that a part of it has a quadrilateral cross-section.

[0146] The food waste from the input section 100 is transmitted to the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation section 200. After passing through the solid-liquid separation section 200, the food waste moves horizontally and is transmitted to the decomposition section 300 via the outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation section 200. The outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation section 200 is in communication with the inlet of the decomposition section 300 and the inlet / outlet 751 of the lower module 750, and its shape may match that of the inlet / outlet 751 of the lower module 750.

[0147] The internal space of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, as defined by the solid-liquid separation unit 200 case 201, can be divided into a solid-liquid separation space A and a transfer space B.

[0148] The solid-liquid separation space A may be a region located at the rear of the case 201, and is the space between the inlet 2011 and the drainage hole 270 that houses the filter section 210.

[0149] The filter section 210 may consist of a cylindrical side surface 211 and a bottom surface 212, and the side surface 211 comprises a filter surface that forms the main area of ​​the side surface, an upper rim 2112 that extends upward from the filter surface, and a lower rim 2113 of the side surface.

[0150] The side surface 211 of the filter section 210 is mainly cylindrical and can be realized as a filter mesh, i.e., a strainer, with a predetermined size of hole formed therein. Liquid flows out onto the side surface 211 and is injected into the drain hole connecting section 271 along the inclined surface of the bottom surface 2016 of the solid-liquid separation space A.

[0151] The upper rim 2112 is formed with an inclined surface such that its diameter increases towards the top, while the lower rim 2113 may extend from the side surface 211 and be formed to function as a frame.

[0152] In this case, the lower rim 2113 may be provided with a fixing projection 2111 that protrudes from a part of it and is fixed to the bottom surface of the solid-liquid separation space A, i.e., the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 210.

[0153] The fixing protrusions 2111 may be formed by two consecutive fixing protrusions 2111, but are not limited thereto.

[0154] Furthermore, the lower rim 2113 may also be provided with at least one side fixing projection that, in addition to the continuous fixing projections 2111, fixes the bottom surface 212 of the filter portion 210 to its side.

[0155] The filter section 210 is formed such that the side surface 211 and the bottom surface 212 are separable, and the bottom surface 212 is formed as a closed structure in which no holes are formed.

[0156] At this time, the bottom surface 212 has a guide projection 2121 formed on a part of its edge, which is bent upward to guide the side surface 211 of the filter portion 210, and a fixing hole corresponding to the fixing projection 2111 is formed in a part between the guide projection 2121 and the bottom surface 212.

[0157] When the continuous fixing protrusions 2111 on the side surface 211 and the continuous fixing holes on the bottom surface 212 are fitted together and assembled into the filter section 210, and at this time the upper part of the edge of the guide protrusion 2121 protrudes toward the end and is fixed onto the side fixing protrusion of the filter section 210, the side surface 211 and the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 210 slide together, a strong physical bond may be formed simultaneously by the radial connection between the continuous fixing protrusions 2111 and the fixing holes and the circumferential connection between the side fixing protrusion and the upper part of the end of the guide protrusion 2121.

[0158] The filter section 210 is separated or joined to the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation space A with its side surface 211 and bottom surface 212 joined together. At this time, the bottom surface 212 is joined to a part of the case 201 and the guide projection 2121, specifically the region where the guide projection 2121 extends outward from the circumference and the lower part of the side surface 2015 of the case 201, and can only be separated by physical pressure.

[0159] Furthermore, the bottom surface 212 is provided with a plurality of support rims 2124 on its back surface.

[0160] The plurality of support rims 2124 can act as support bases to maintain a horizontal position when the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 210 is fixed in place in accordance with the inclined surface of the bottom surface 2016 of the case.

[0161] The plurality of support rims 2124 may be arranged radially at intervals such that they have equivalent angles with respect to the center of the back surface of the bottom surface 212, and at least three support rims 2124 can be realized.

[0162] These multiple support rims 2124 allow the filter section 210 to remain horizontal with respect to the inclined surface of the case bottom 2016, and the height of the support rims 2124 creates a separation space between the back of the filter section 210 and the case bottom 2016, allowing the liquid from food waste to flow into the separation space.

[0163] When the filter unit 210 is placed in the solid-liquid separation space A, a separation distance is formed between the side surface 211 of the filter unit 210 and the side surface 2015 of the case, as shown in Figure 7d. Through the perforations in the side surface 211 of the filter unit 210, only the liquid is separated from the food waste and flows into the space created by this separation distance and into the inside of the case 201.

[0164] When the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 210 is located in the solid-liquid separation space A, the liquid flowing inside the case 201 flows to the bottom surface 2016 of the case via the separation space 2017 between the side surface 2015 of the case formed by the extended region of the guide projection 2121 and the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 210, and is drawn into the discharge hole connecting section 271.

[0165] Thus, the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 210 is not integrated with the bottom surface of the case 201, but is joined in a separable structure when pressurized, allowing it to be separated from the case 201 for washing and drying as needed. Furthermore, by separating the bottom surface 212, the bottom surface of the case 201, that is, the inclined surface that guides the flow of liquid to the discharge hole 270 connected to the drain outlet 4 of the sink unit 1, can be washed to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.

[0166] The filter section 210 can be removed to the outside by the user lifting it from the inlet 11 of the input section 100. This is a structure similar to the filter mesh of the drain outlet 4 of the sink unit 1, and because the filter section 210 can be removed to the outside for washing and drying, individual management of the space in which food waste comes into contact is possible.

[0167] The case 201 includes a side wall 2011 surrounding the filter section 210, and the side wall 2011 can be formed to have a curved surface in the region corresponding to the filter section 210, as shown in Figure 7c.

[0168] A transfer space B is formed in front of the solid-liquid separation space A, as shown in Figure 7b.

[0169] The transfer space B is mainly an empty space, and may be either a space into which the filter unit 210 is placed by the movement of the filter unit 210 by the transfer unit 400, or a space that is empty when the filter unit 210 retracts.

[0170] The transfer space B is open at the bottom, and the open bottom is connected to the entrance of the disassembly section 300 as an exit 208.

[0171] The case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 surrounding the transfer space B may be a folded rectangular shape, and a separate transfer cover may be provided to seal the front of the case 201. If a separate transfer cover to seal the front is provided and connected, it can be opened and closed for cleaning and repair.

[0172] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 is provided with a transfer module on one side of the case 201 for moving the filter unit 210 horizontally between the transfer space B and the solid-liquid separation space A.

[0173] The transfer module may include a transfer motor 220, a pinion 221 connected to the shaft of the transfer motor 220, and a linear rack 222 that moves forward and backward by the pinion 221.

[0174] The system may also further include a guide bar 223 for the linear rack 222 to move, and a transfer body 230 that is bent from the linear rack 222 and has a planar structure facing forward.

[0175] The motor 220 rotates the pinion 221 in one direction to move the filter unit 210 horizontally from the solid-liquid separation space A to the transfer space B, from rear to front. If necessary, the pinion 221 may also be rotated in the opposite direction to return the filter unit 210 from the transfer space B to the solid-liquid separation space A.

[0176] Specifically, after food waste is placed in the filter section 210, the transfer motor 220 can be rotated once the input cover 111 is rotated and the start of operation is recognized. Alternatively, the transfer motor 220 can be operated if a disclosure signal is received from the user, and such a user disclosure signal can be received from a user terminal equipped with an application that can be linked with the food waste processor 10. The rotational drive of the transfer motor 220 may be controlled by the control unit.

[0177] The transfer motor 220 may be located outside the case 201, for example, on the side of the case 201, but is not limited to this, and can also be located inside the case 201. When the transfer motor 220 is located outside the case 201, the shaft of the transfer motor 220 may penetrate the side wall of the case 201 and be connected to the pinion 221. The pinion 221 meshes with the gear of the linear rack 222 by the motor shaft, causing the linear rack 222 to move linearly in the front-rear direction.

[0178] In this case, a guide bar 223 may be further provided to allow the linear movement of the linear rack 222 in the front-rear direction to proceed along the horizontal plane.

[0179] The transfer module includes an extension surface 2221 that extends in a vertical direction (second direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (first direction) of the linear rack 222. The extension surface 2221 extends longitudinally together with the linear rack 222 and is formed integrally with the linear rack 222.

[0180] At least one holder 2222 for holding the guide bar 223 protrudes from the upper and lower parts of the expansion surface 2221. The at least one holder 2222 may be formed as a cylindrical structure through which the guide bar 223 passes, or it may be formed as a semicircle, and if it is semicircular, it can be arranged so as to open in opposite directions from each other. Thus the expansion surface 2221 can move linearly without shaking along the guide bar 223 which is provided to pass over a plurality of semicircular holders 2222 simultaneously.

[0181] When multiple guide bars 223 are arranged, holders 2222 may be provided at the top and bottom of the expansion surface 2221, and the guide bars 223 are connected to the upper and lower holders 2222, respectively, so that the linear rack 222 can move in a more horizontal and stable state.

[0182] The guide bar 223 may be an STS guide in which one end, i.e., the rear end, is fixed to the case 201 and the front end remains free, but is not limited to this. Alternatively, the linear rack 222 can move linearly while the angle is calculated in real time and the horizontal position is controlled, including a horizontal sensor. In this case, the side of the case facing the linear rack 222 may further be provided with a touch sensor 235 that senses the position of a protrusion at the bottom of the linear rack 222.

[0183] In this case, the touch sensor 235 is positioned to limit the displacement caused by the movement of the linear rack 222, and if the touch sensor 235 detects a touch on the protruding part, the control unit C can stop the motor 220 from driving. The touch sensor 235 may be positioned at both ends of the displacement of the linear rack 222.

[0184] The linear rack 222 is positioned inside the side wall of the case 201 and moves linearly in the forward and backward directions by the rotation of the pinion 221. A planar transfer body 230 is positioned in front of the linear rack 222 by bending from its front edge.

[0185] The transfer body 230 is a coupling member that connects to the filter section 210 and moves together with the filter section 210 when the linear rack 222 moves linearly.

[0186] The transfer body 230 can be formed to form a cover on its own, and the transfer body 230 can be formed to have the same area and shape as the cross-section of the case 201 perpendicular to the direction of movement, so as to divide the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 into front and rear sections.

[0187] Therefore, the area behind the transfer body 230 where food waste is present and the area in front of the transfer body 230 where food waste is not present are separated and sealed from each other.

[0188] This sealing force of the transfer body 230 is made possible by the sealing portion 2332 surrounding the edge of the transfer body 230.

[0189] Furthermore, the sealing force of the transfer body 230 prevents liquid from seeping forward of the transfer body 230 and flowing into the decomposition section 300 during solid-liquid separation of food waste, without the need for a separate cover.

[0190] The transfer body 230 may have two bodies, which are two separate and coupled structures, but is not limited to this, and can be formed as a one-body structure.

[0191] As shown in Figure 7b, the transfer body 230 is slidably coupled to a fixed portion 2114 formed on the side surface of the filter portion 210, which faces the transfer space B, and the movement of the linear rack 222 causes the side surface of the filter portion 210 to move horizontally into the transfer space B.

[0192] During horizontal movement, only the side surface 211 of the filter section 210 moves, while the bottom surface 212 remains in the solid-liquid separation space A. As a result, only the solid matter of the food waste separated from the solid-liquid held in the filter section 210 moves to the transfer space B and falls into the decomposition section 300 via the lower outlet 208.

[0193] More specifically, as the transfer of the transfer module proceeds with force applied to only one side of the transfer body 230, that is, the linear rack 222 is formed on only one side, causing the entire transfer body 230 to move horizontally, a gap may be created at the left or right end of the transfer body 230 in some cases.

[0194] In other words, at the right end, which is the free end where the linear rack 222 is not connected, the side of the case 201 and the transfer body 230 open up without being sealed to each other.

[0195] To compensate for this force imbalance, the transfer body 230 is formed as a two-body structure, and an elastic body is applied to the connection between the first body 235 and the second body 233 to compensate for the imbalance.

[0196] When the thrust force applied from one side of the first body 235 is deflected or deformed, a greater load is applied to one side of the second body 233 by the filter section 210. At this time, a moment is generated in the elastic body at the center, which in turn generates a repulsive force on the opposite side, and as a result, the right end on the opposite side engages with the side edge of the case 201.

[0197] In this case, a sealing portion 2332 may be formed on the edge of the second body 233 to buffer the engagement with the edge of the case 201, and the sealing portion 2332 may buffer the engagement with the edge of the case 201.

[0198] Even when the transfer body 230 is in a stopped state, maintaining the filter section 210 in the solid-liquid separation space A without transferring it, the edge sealing section 2332 of the transfer body 230 may have a double sealing structure with the sealing member 2018 of the edge of the case 201.

[0199] In other words, the side wall of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 may further be provided with a case sealing member 2018 that engages with the sealing portion 2332 of the transfer body 230 in the boundary region between the solid-liquid separation space A and the transfer space B.

[0200] This double-sealing structure ensures that during solid-liquid separation of food waste, the solid-liquid separation space is sealed by the transfer body 230, preventing the liquid from penetrating into the decomposition section 300.

[0201] The motor 220 may be mounted on the side of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 where there is sufficient space.

[0202] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 has a sealed structure via a case 201 and is configured to have a predetermined level of sealing force when the input cover 111 of the upper inlet 2011 is closed.

[0203] Therefore, with the exception of the drainage / deodorizing module 600 connected to the pinion 221 hole of the motor 220 and the drainage hole of the sink base 1, and the outlet 208 connected to the disassembly unit 300, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is sealed by the case 201.

[0204] On the other hand, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 further includes another upper deodorizing module 250 for absorbing and discharging malodorous odors and water vapor from inside the case 201 to the outside of the case 201.

[0205] The upper deodorization module 250 is equipped with a deodorization pipe 260 connected to a deodorization hole 261 on the side wall of the transfer space B, and one end of the deodorization pipe 260 is connected to a water leak hole on the side wall of the solid-liquid separation space A, and the other end is connected to a water leak hole on the side wall of the solid-liquid separation space A, and is designed to send malodorous odors through the deodorization pipe 260 to a decomposition section 300 where negative pressure is set. The upper deodorization module 250 is designed so that a large amount of water flows from the solid-liquid separation section 200 through the water leak hole and is injected through the water leak hole, and the water leak hole is designed to be lower than the deodorization hole, and the valve (not shown) is operable to close when water fills the space between the water leak hole and the deodorization hole.

[0206] On the other hand, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 may further include a nozzle module 731 connected to the water supply pipe of the sink unit 1 for supplying a predetermined humidity to the decomposition unit 300.

[0207] If the solid-liquid separation unit 200 includes a nozzle module 731, the nozzle module 731 may be connected to the water supply connecting pipe 730 by passing through the case 201 at the top of the transfer space B. Therefore, the water supply connecting pipe 730 extends from the water supply pipe to the nozzle 731 at the top of the case 201, and the nozzle module 731 can pass through the top of the case 201 and supply water from the top of the transfer space B toward the outlet 208.

[0208] Such a nozzle module 731 is controlled by the control unit and, when the humidity sensor in the decomposition unit 300 detects that the humidity is below a predetermined value, it is turned on and can spray a predetermined amount of water. However, if the decomposition unit 300 functions as a drying unit that does not contain microorganisms, the nozzle module 731 can be omitted.

[0209] Furthermore, one side of the solid-liquid separation section 200 may be further provided with a rocker 280 that penetrates the cover guide 130 and secures the input cover 111.

[0210] As described above, the rocker 280 is controlled by the control unit and, when the side surface of the filter section 210 is coupled to the bottom surface of the filter section 210 within the solid-liquid separation space A, it senses the coupling. When the cover guide 130 is fixed on the side surface of the filter section 210, it senses the fixing of the cover guide 130. When the input cover 111 is fixed on the cover guide 130, it senses the fixing of the input cover 111. After this, the rocker 280 moves horizontally toward the input cover 111. The rocker 280 is equipped with a fixing hand 281 that branches off to fix one side surface of the input cover 111. The fixing hand 281 passes through the rocker slit 134 of the cover guide 130 and grasps and fixes the side surface of the input cover 111.

[0211] By fixing the locker 280 in this manner, when the transfer body 230 at the bottom of the input cover 111 moves, causing the side of the filter section 210 to move horizontally, it is possible to prevent the input cover 111 from detaching due to the shaking of food waste inside the filter section 210.

[0212] Therefore, even if there is vibration inside, the input cover 111 maintains a tight seal, preventing unpleasant odors from leaking to the outside.

[0213] Thus, in this specification, the solid-liquid separation unit 200 has an inlet 2011 and an outlet 208 that are not aligned in a straight line in the vertical direction. Therefore, it performs filtering of solids and liquids upon input of the food waste, while simultaneously moving only the filtered solid material horizontally to fall into the decomposition unit 300 below and draw it in.

[0214] Various modifications can exist for the basic module and operation of such a solid-liquid separation unit 200.

[0215] Furthermore, the positions of the motor 220, rocker 280, and upper deodorizing module 250 are merely examples of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 in the first embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0216] The structure is greatly simplified by the solid-liquid separation section 200, which moves horizontally from rear to front, for example, only a part of the filter section 210, specifically only the side surface 211, and the decomposition section 300 can be isolated.

[0217] In the following, a separable lower module 750 of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11.

[0218] The lower module 750, which houses the disassembly unit 300, the transfer unit 400, and the collection unit 500, is packaged as individual modules that can be separated from the main body 700. Since the lower module 750 houses the internal case 320 of each module within the lower case 751, each functional module has a double-case structure.

[0219] The lower module 750 case 751 can be made of the same material as the main body 700, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular hexahedron so that it can be inserted into the main body 700.

[0220] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the inside of the lower module 750 of the food waste disposer 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0221] The internal case 320 defines the positions of the disassembly section 300, the transfer section 400, and the collection section 500, and can be provided in a single injection form.

[0222] In this case, the transfer unit 400 and the collection unit 500 may each have individual cases arranged within the internal case 320, but the disassembly unit 300 can have the internal case 320 itself define the space of the disassembly unit 300.

[0223] In other words, the decomposition section 300 is defined as a space for stirring while containing microorganisms and food waste. The decomposition section 300 is a space 310 that is kept mostly empty on one side of the internal case 320 and occupies 1 / 2 to 2 / 3 of the volume of the lower module 750.

[0224] The disassembly unit 300 may be positioned towards the lower left side of the front of the food waste processor 10, with the collection unit 500 and the transfer unit 400 overlapping on the lower right side.

[0225] Therefore, the space 310 of the disassembly section 300 maintains a deep, recessed shape so as to occupy the entire overlapping length of the collection section 500 and the transfer section 400, and the internal case 320 has a partition wall 360 that separates the collection section 500 and the transfer section 400 from the disassembly section 300.

[0226] The decomposition unit 300 within the lower module 750 agitates the solid food waste, from which the liquid transmitted to the decomposition unit 300 has been removed, with microorganisms. Agitation of the food waste with microorganisms increases the decomposition efficiency. The agitation shaft 351 rotates within the decomposition unit 300, and the agitation blades 352 are connected to the agitation shaft 351 and rotate together with the agitation shaft 351. The agitation blades 352 may be screw-shaped, spiraling around the agitation shaft 351 as an axis.

[0227] The stirring shaft 351 is located below the disassembly section 300 and may be a horizontal rotation axis that crosses from left to right, and the stirring blades 352 may branch radially perpendicular to the stirring shaft 351. The stirring members 350 may be formed as a single screw type and may protrude from each other at different heights relative to the stirring shaft 351.

[0228] Therefore, if the portion of the stirring blade 352 that protrudes furthest from the stirring shaft 351 is defined as a peak, it may be formed such that another peak is located on the opposite side at 180 degrees, and the height decreases between the peaks, but is not limited to this, and can be formed in a screw shape of the same length.

[0229] Furthermore, the stirring blade 352 is provided with recesses in at least a portion of it, and these recesses are irregularly arranged to generate turbulence in order to smoothly mix the small particles of decayed material that are produced by decomposition.

[0230] The internal case 320 of the disassembly section 300 may be formed so that the lower left side is recessed and indented, and the cross-sectional area becomes narrower towards the bottom. In particular, the recessed and indented lower part of the internal case 320 of the disassembly section 300 may be formed so that the bottom surface is curved, which can prevent food waste or residue from remaining in the corners.

[0231] Furthermore, the curved bottom surface is formed along the trajectory of the stirring member 350, and the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the stirring member 350 uniformly affects each space below, so that the mixing of food waste and microorganisms can proceed uniformly below.

[0232] One end of the stirring shaft 351, which has a horizontal rotation axis in the first direction (left-right), can be fixed to one side wall of the disassembly section 300 so as to be rotatable, and the other end can be fixed to the other side wall facing the first side wall so as to be rotatable.

[0233] The stirring shaft 351 may be driven by a motor 330 provided in the food waste processor 10, the motor 330 being located on the outside of the left side wall and positioned in the space 352 between the case 751 of the lower module 750 and the inner case 320 by a recessed space 352 in the lower region of the case 320. The driving force of the motor 330 may be transmitted via a rotating shaft 331 which is interlocked with the stirring shaft 351.

[0234] The disassembly section 300 may be equipped with a heating means 328 for heating the internal space. The heating means 328 may be, for example, a wire heater. The heating means 328 may be provided on the outer surface of the disassembly section 300 case 320, thereby indirectly transferring heat to the internal space of the disassembly section 300 via the disassembly section 300 case 320. The disassembly section 300 case 320 is equipped with a metal plate 1112 with high thermal conductivity to enable efficient heat transfer. For this purpose, the disassembly section 300 case 320 may have some surfaces made of irregularly shaped materials of metal and nonmetal, as needed.

[0235] The internal space 310 of the decomposition section 300 is heated to a temperature suitable for microorganisms to decompose food waste, and the moisture in the food waste is sufficiently evaporated or vaporized to facilitate processing.

[0236] When the upper part of the disassembly section 300 is opened, the opened upper part of the disassembly section 300 aligns with the outlet 208 of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation section 200.

[0237] In this case, the upper part of the disassembly section 300 may be larger than the outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation section 200. Since the lower module 750 can be packaged in a separate case 751 and is independently separable, a user's hand can enter the internal space 310 through the opening at the top of the disassembly section 300. Therefore, cleaning the internal space 310 of the disassembly section 300, removing any stuck or attached food waste, etc., can be easily done, and if foreign objects (for example, spoons, chopsticks, bottle caps, etc.) are drawn into the lower space 310, they can be easily removed.

[0238] The disassembled section 300 has a deodorizing port 322 for connection to the rear drainage / deodorizing module 600. The rear surface of the case 320 of the disassembled section 300 may have a deodorizing port 322 that can be aligned with the deodorizing fan located above the main body 700.

[0239] The decomposition unit 300 decomposes the dewatered solid food waste without a separate drainage structure, and discharges only the vaporized malodorous odor or water vapor through deodorization. Therefore, except for the deodorization port 322, it does not have any structure that connects to the outside.

[0240] In cases where a separate drainage structure is required, the pull-out lower module 750 may include a module for connecting a drainage structure to connect the drain channel to the sink unit 1 drainpipe, or alternatively, it may further include a tank for collecting and discharging liquid separately.

[0241] In the decomposition section 300, the transmitted food waste and the food waste being decomposed by microorganisms are mixed and accumulated. Of the accumulated food waste, the food waste that has been completely decomposed is rotten material, and its particles become very small and its weight decreases.

[0242] Such decaying material, due to the weight difference between it and the newly drawn-in food waste, is moved over a wider trajectory by the rotation of the stirring member 350 and transmitted to the collection unit 500 via the transfer unit 400 located at the upper end of the decomposition unit 300.

[0243] The transfer unit 400 and the collection unit 500 will be described below with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0244] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the inside of the transfer section 400 of the lower module 750 of the food waste processor 10 shown in Figure 1, and Figures 10a and 10b are state diagrams showing the connection between the transfer section 400 and the collection section 500.

[0245] First, as shown in Figure 9, the transfer unit 400 may achieve its transfer function via a transfer screw 430 and a disassembly chamber propeller 410.

[0246] The transfer unit 400 is located on one side of the disassembly unit 300, for example, on the right side, and is positioned at the upper end of the collection unit 500.

[0247] Due to the height difference between the transfer section 400 and the agitator 350 of the decomposition section 300, only the lighter decomposed material can selectively reach the transfer section 400. In other words, the transfer section 400 is designed so that only the decomposed material that forms a large trajectory up to the height due to the weight difference and undergoes agitation flows into the transfer section 400, and the decomposed material that flows in is moved to the collection section 500.

[0248] Specifically, the transfer section 400 has a partition wall 360, and the partition wall 360 has an inlet 361 that is open at the bottom, so the disassembly section 300 and the transfer section 400 are connected through the inlet 361.

[0249] The partition wall 360 is formed so that only rotten material can pass through the inlet 361, and as the food waste rots, the rotten material undergoes the greatest displacement due to the weight difference and can reach the inlet 361. In this way, when the rotten material that reaches the inlet 361 of the partition wall 360 is drawn into the inlet 361, a decomposition chamber propeller 410 is positioned inside the partition wall 360 to transport it inward.

[0250] In other words, the decomposition chamber propeller 410 is positioned in close proximity to the bulkhead 360 and serves to sweep and clear the area in front of the inlet 361.

[0251] The transfer screw 430 transfers the rotten material that has flowed into the transfer space 501 to the collection unit 500. The transfer screw 430 can be configured so that the direction of transfer of the rotten material is on the rotating shaft 451, and the spiral blades 511 protruding from the rotating shaft 451 rotate to push the food waste towards the collection unit 500 or in the opposite direction.

[0252] The motor 450 rotates the transfer screw 430 in one direction so that the decaying material moves from the decomposition area 300 to the collection area 500.

[0253] At this time, if a signal is received indicating that the collection box 510 provided in the collection unit 500 is full, the decaying material can be moved again from the collection unit 500 area to the decomposition unit 300 area, or the motor 450 can be stopped. The rotational drive of the motor 450 may be controlled by the control unit C.

[0254] The transfer unit 400 may be equipped with a screen 420 that covers the transfer screw 430, and the screen 420 can prevent the transferred rotten material from escaping to the outside. The screen 420 can be formed in a cylindrical shape extending from a partition wall and houses the transfer screw 430 and the motor 450. The screen 420 surrounds the outer surface of the transfer screw 430, moving the rotten material from left to right, and discharges it toward the outlet 12, where it falls into the collection unit 500.

[0255] The bracket 470 of the transfer unit 400 protrudes from the bottom of the screen 420 toward the collection unit 500, allowing the transfer unit 400 to be fixed to the cover 520 of the collection unit 500. The bracket 470 of the transfer unit 400 has an outlet 12 at its bottom, and the edge of the outlet 12 forms a rail 471, which can be fixed and communicated with the opening / closing lid 521 of the collection unit 500 by sliding coupling.

[0256] The rotation of the transfer screw 430 may be achieved by driving a motor 450. The driving force of the motor 450 may be transmitted via a shaft 451 fixed to the transfer screw 430. In this case, the shaft 451 is fixed together with the propeller 410, and the transfer screw 430 and the propeller 410 can rotate simultaneously with a single motor 450. If they have different rotational speeds, the rotational speeds may be controlled separately via gears. In this way, the space occupied by the motor 450 can be minimized, contributing to the miniaturization of the device and minimizing power consumption.

[0257] Thus, the transfer unit 400 is located only on the collection unit 500, and only small, light particles of rotten material selectively flow into the transfer unit 400 through the inlet 361, thereby fundamentally preventing unrotted food waste from flowing into the transfer unit 400.

[0258] Therefore, it is extremely rare for food waste to remain on the transfer section 400 for an extended period or for residue to stick and generate a foul odor.

[0259] Furthermore, by individually providing motors 330 and 450 for the disassembly unit 300 and the transfer unit 400, the stirring of the disassembly unit 300 and the transfer of the transfer unit 400 may be controlled independently. For example, if the stirring shaft 331 rotates in only one direction, food waste may accumulate in one area, resulting in uneven stirring of the food waste. Therefore, in this case, the stirring shaft 331 may rotate periodically in the opposite direction, while the transfer screw 510 rotates continuously to move the food waste from the disassembly unit 300 to the collection unit 500.

[0260] Furthermore, even when transfer is interrupted in the transfer unit 400 due to the capacity of the collection unit 500, stirring can continue continuously. For example, while the collection box 520 is separated from the fixed space of the collection unit 500 for processing the decomposed food waste, stirring of the food waste can continue.

[0261] The drive speed and drive direction of the motor 450 may be driven based on control signals from a control unit C, such as a processor. The specific power transmission structure is not limited thereto and may be configured considering torque, rotational speed, spatial arrangement, etc.

[0262] The collection unit 500 may be located in the lower right corner of the internal case 320 of the lower module 750 in the shape of a rectangular hexahedron, as shown in Figures 10a and 10b.

[0263] The collection unit 500 is inserted into the collection space 326 of the internal case 320 of the lower module 750.

[0264] The collection unit 500 is a single module that can be individually assembled and separated from the main body 700 and can also be assembled and separated from the lower module 750.

[0265] That is, the collection unit 500 is a module that is inserted into the collection space 326 in a state similar to an insertable trash bin.

[0266] The collection unit 500 is composed of a collection unit 500 cover 520 and a collection box 510.

[0267] An opening / closing lid 521 is arranged on the collection unit 500 cover 520.

[0268] When the opening / closing lid 521 is coupled to the transfer unit 400, it opens while communicating the internal space of the collection box 510 with the outlet 12 of the transfer unit 400.

[0269] The opening / closing lid 521 is closed when the user separates the collection unit 500 from the collection space 326 and takes it out, and when the user reinstalls the collection unit 500 on the food waste processor 10, it opens while riding on the inclined surface 475 of the bracket 470 of the transfer unit 400. For this purpose, the opening / closing lid 521 is hinge-coupled to the front side.

[0270] Therefore, when the collection unit 500 is taken out, the user can avoid seeing the decomposed matter, and the bad smell of the decomposed matter can be prevented from leaking out.

[0271] The collection box 510 has a concave shape with an internal collection space and may have a stepped structure so that it can be covered with vinyl for use.

[0272] When a certain amount is accumulated in the collection unit 500, a sensor 530 for measuring the amount of decomposed matter in the collection unit 500 is provided so that the user can collect and discard it.

[0273] The sensor 530 of the collection unit 500 may be a weight sensor, and a weight plate 540 is formed on the bottom surface of the collection box 510, and the weight of the decomposed material can be sensed via a load cell located below the weight plate 540 and transmitted to the control unit C.

[0274] Unlike the above, the sensor 530 of the collection unit 500 may be a water level sensor placed inside the collection space, and various sensors such as ultrasonic sensors, laser sensors, and image sensors can be used as the water level sensor.

[0275] In this way, the connection and communication between the collection unit 500 and the transfer unit 400 are carried out by the sliding connection between the outlet 12 of the transfer unit 400 and the opening / closing lid 521 of the cover 520 of the collection unit 500. This allows for sealing so that the user does not experience discomfort from internal decaying matter when removing the collection unit 500, and the two modules can be easily fastened and separated.

[0276] On the other hand, the food waste disposer 10 of one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a drainage / deodorization module 600 in the space between the main body 700 and the lower module 750, i.e., the rear space.

[0277] Figure 11 is a simplified diagram showing the drainage / deodorization module 600 of the food waste disposer 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0278] The lower module 750 has an internal space defined by a case 751 of the lower module 750, which is a rectangular hexahedron that is shallower in depth than the main body 700.

[0279] Due to this difference in depth, a separation space exists between the main body 700 and the case 751 of the lower module 750 behind the lower module 750.

[0280] Such a separation space is positioned towards the lower rear of the entire main body 700 of the food waste disposer 10. An exhaust fan 620 is formed on the rear surface of the separation space, that is, on the rear surface of the main body 700. In addition, a sewer pipe connection part is formed on the bottom surface of the separation space, that is, on the bottom surface of the main body 700, which connects to the sewer pipe of the external sink stand 1.

[0281] The exhaust fan 620 creates negative pressure inside the food waste disposer 10, and the malodorous odors and water vapor inside are discharged to the sewer pipe of the sink unit 1 via the deodorizing duct 610 connected to the exhaust fan 620.

[0282] The deodorizing duct 610 is a spiral-shaped (snail-shaped) duct 610, with one side facing the exhaust fan 620 and connected to a ventilation opening 322 formed on the rear surface of the case of the lower module 750, and the other side connected to the drainage deodorizing pipes 650 and 660.

[0283] A connection can be formed between the deodorizing duct 610 and the drainage deodorizing pipes 650 and 660 via a connecting unit 630, which can be achieved using an O-ring or the like.

[0284] The drainage and deodorizing pipes 650 and 660 are formed by connecting a first inlet connected to the sewer pipe 270 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, a second inlet connected to the deodorizing duct 610, and an outlet connected to the sewer pipe of the external sink unit 1, and are pipes having multiple bends.

[0285] The drainage deodorizing pipes 650 and 660 have an S-shaped trap between the first inlet and the outlet. The first pipe 650 forms a path for the cleaning water flowing from the filter screen through the first inlet, allowing the filtered liquid from the solid-liquid separation unit 200 to flow into the external sewer pipe. Since the S-shaped trap always contains water, it can prevent odor backflow from the sewer outlet 4.

[0286] On the other hand, the drainage deodorizing pipes 650 and 660 further have a second pipe 660 formed between the second inlet and the outlet, which has at least one bend.

[0287] At this time, a backflow prevention cover 670 is formed between the second pipe 660 and the outlet to prevent liquid from flowing back from the first pipe 650 into the second pipe 660.

[0288] The aforementioned backflow prevention cover 670 is intended to prevent an accident in which liquid flows back into the second pipe 660 and is injected into the decomposition section 300, thereby killing all the microorganisms in the decomposition section 300. A check valve can be used as the backflow prevention cover 670.

[0289] The check valve may be configured to open the second pipe 660 and connect it to the outlet when malodorous odors and water vapor are discharged into the second pipe 660, and to prevent backflow of liquid through the outlet or the first pipe 650 by reverse gravity. In other words, the check valve can be opened and closed by gravity. As an example of how to give elasticity to the check valve, the check valve may be made of silicone material and its upper edge may be fixed to the upper side of the second pipe 660. The fixing part of the check valve can serve the same purpose as a hinge fastening.

[0290] Thus, the integration of the two paths 650 and 660, formed between the case of the main body 700 and the case 751 of the lower module 750, is advantageous for space utilization. Furthermore, by not forming a separate odor discharge path and discharging all wastewater and odors through the drain outlet of the sink unit 1, it is possible to prevent odors from being discharged to the outside, eliminating the need for a separate filter structure to minimize odor discharge to the outside. Consequently, the product can be simplified and costs can be reduced.

[0291] Furthermore, when the lower module 750 and the main body 700 are joined, the connection with the deodorizing duct 610 is facilitated, allowing them to be fitted together without any other physical joining structure. For this reason, a sealing portion may be formed between the ventilation opening of the lower module 750 and the deodorizing duct 610.

[0292] At this time, the upper deodorization module 250 described above sucks the malodor and water vapor in the solid-liquid separation space A into the transfer space B of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, and the malodor and moisture are drawn into the decomposition unit 300 through the outlet 208 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200. Therefore, all the malodor and water vapor of the upper module 710 and the lower module 750 pass through the deodorization duct 610 through the rear opening 322 in the decomposition unit 300 and are discharged to the second pipe 660.

[0293] The ventilation openings of the lower module 750 are aligned to communicate with the rear opening 322 of the case of the decomposition unit 300, and a negative pressure is formed in both the internal space of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, the transfer unit 400, and the collection unit 500 connected to the transfer unit 400 through the openings inside and above the decomposition unit 300, so that an air flow is formed so that all the malodor and water vapor can be discharged through the opening 322.

[0294] In addition, a guide seal is formed between the exhaust fan 620 and the deodorization duct 610. The guide seal helps the deodorization duct 610 of the lower module 750 to mesh well with and be sandwiched by the exhaust fan 620 of the main body 700, while forming a sealed structure to prevent the malodor from the decomposition unit 300 from leaking to the outside.

[0295] The food waste processor 10 of one embodiment of the present disclosure as described above includes a control unit C for recognizing a disclosure command by the rotation of the input cover 111 and controlling each module.

[0296] The control unit C can be realized by a processor or a microcomputer, etc., and communicates with various sensors and the display unit 14 in each module through wired or wireless communication, thereby controlling the operation of each module.

[0297] Hereinafter, the operation of the food waste processor 10 of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 12a to 12d.

[0298] FIGS. 12a to 12d are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the food waste processor 10 of FIG. 1.

[0299] First, as shown in Figure 12a, the food waste disposer 10 of one embodiment of the present disclosure, which is built into the internal space 3 of the sink unit 1, receives food waste 800 into the input section 100 via the drain outlet 4 of the sink bowl 2 of the sink unit 1 when food waste is generated.

[0300] Once food waste 800 has passed through the input section 100 and entered the filter section 210, the liquid 810 in the food waste flows by gravity through the perforations in the filter section 210 to the first pipe 650 of the drainage / deodorization module 600 via the hole between the bottom surface 212 of the filter section 200 and the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation section 200. The liquid is then discharged through the first pipe 650 to the drain of the sink 1, leaving only solid matter 820 inside the filter section 210.

[0301] As shown in Figure 12b, when the user rotates the input cover 111 on the cover guide 130 by a predetermined angle or more, the control unit C of the food waste processor 10 instructs the transfer operation of the solid-liquid separation unit 200.

[0302] The solid-liquid separation unit 200 horizontally moves forward only the solid material 820 from which the liquid has been separated from the food waste that has been moved from the input unit 100, and drops it into the decomposition unit 300 below.

[0303] In other words, as the motor 220 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is driven, the rotation of the pinion 221 causes the linear rack 222 to move linearly forward on the horizontal plane. This causes the connected transfer body 230 to move the side surface 211 of the filter unit 210 forward. At this time, the bottom surface 212 of the filter unit 210 remains in the solid-liquid separation space A, so only the side surface 211 of the filter unit 210 exists in the transfer space B, and the solid matter 820 inside the filter unit 210 falls into the decomposition unit 300 below due to gravity.

[0304] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the motor 220 can rotate in the opposite direction, causing the filter unit 210 to move back into the solid-liquid separation space A.

[0305] Meanwhile, the solid food waste 820 that falls into the decomposition unit 300 is mixed with the microorganisms contained inside, the previously decomposed food waste, and the currently added food waste by the rotation of the stirring member 350 caused by the rotation of the motor 330 of the decomposition unit 300.

[0306] Through this continuous mixing and maintenance of a predetermined temperature by the heating element 328, the microbial fermentation process proceeds, and the food waste is fermented and decomposed into rotten material 821.

[0307] This type of decomposition is a process that transforms organic matter into inorganic matter, and can be described as composting.

[0308] Thus, the decomposed rotten material 821 has a smaller particle size and is lighter than the food waste that is introduced. Therefore, when the food waste is stirred by the motor 330 of the decomposition unit 300, it moves from bottom to top, from left to right in the wide space above, and from top to bottom, utilizing the entire space of the decomposition unit 300. Such large trajectories are created by the low-speed rotation of the stirring member 350, the integrated screw shape of the stirring member 350, and the irregular depressions 351.

[0309] As shown in Figure 12d, the decomposed rotten material, due to its small and light particle characteristics, leaves a larger trajectory during agitation, thereby allowing it to move to the transfer section 400 via the inlet 361 at the bottom of the partition wall 360 located on the upper right side.

[0310] When the motor 450 of the transfer unit 400 is driven and rotates the transfer screw 430, the rotten material that has flowed in through the inlet 361 is moved to the right, and the rotten material flows into the collection unit 500 below through the outlet 12 formed on the right side.

[0311] The control unit C controls the drive of the motors in each module, enabling each module's motor to rotate its shaft in a direction and at a speed determined according to its characteristics, thereby achieving optimal drive.

[0312] For example, if a water level sensor 370 is placed inside the decomposition unit 300, and the water level sensor 370 detects decaying material 821 that is tracing a trajectory larger than a predetermined height, the motor of the transfer unit 400 can be operated to proceed with the transfer of the decaying material 821 by the transfer unit 400.

[0313] Therefore, it is possible to easily control multiple modules independently without the need for a complex gear linkage structure to rotate them with a single motor.

[0314] Furthermore, if the weight of the decaying material 830 in the collection unit 500 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control unit C receives a value from the weight sensor 530, and thereby can provide a collection unit 500 discharge alarm to the display unit 14 or a linked user terminal.

[0315] Such an alarm allows the user to separate only the collection unit 500 from the lower module 750 case 751 and empty the decaying material 830 inside.

[0316] Thus, the food waste disposer 10 in one embodiment of the present disclosure is built into the sink unit 1 and communicates with the drain outlet 4 of the sink unit 1, and is connected to the water supply pipe and drain pipe of the sink unit 1 to receive water, and can discharge liquid and odors from food waste into the drain pipe. As a result, the results from the food waste disposer 10 are limited to the compost in the collection unit 500, and the user can use it without various modules for ventilation and deodorization for other exhaust by clearing only the compost in response to an alarm.

[0317] As described above, the food waste processor 10 in one embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to be separated into an upper module 710 that houses the input unit 100 and the solid-liquid separation unit 200, and a lower module 750 that houses the decomposition unit 300, the transfer unit 400, and the collection unit 500. The lower module 750 is packaged in a separate case 751 and can be connected to and detached from the main body 700 in a pull-out manner.

[0318] The following describes the configuration and operation of the input section 100 of a food waste disposer 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to Figures 13 to 21.

[0319] Figures 13a and 13b are exploded perspective views and top views showing the connection between the input section and the solid-liquid separation section of Figure 5, Figure 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the input section of Figure 13b cut along line II-II', and Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the input section of Figure 13b cut along line III-III'.

[0320] As shown in Figures 13a to 15, the input section 100 of the food waste processor 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sink rack 120 connected to the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section 200, an input cover 111, and a cover guide 130 assembled with the input cover 111 to sense the presence and start of operation of the input cover 111.

[0321] The inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 is inserted into the drain outlet 4 on the bottom surface of the sink bowl 2 and connected to the upper opening of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 inside the sink base 1, forming the input inlet 11 of the food waste disposer 10.

[0322] The inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation section 200 has a step formed on its side surface and is equipped with a fixing surface having a diameter even narrower than the upper opening, and the cover guide 130 is fixed to the fixing surface.

[0323] The sink rack 120 is formed on the side surface of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, completely covering the separation space between the sink base 1 and the sink bowl 2, and is screw-connected to the side surface of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the sink bowl 2. Therefore, the sink rack 120 connects the food waste disposer 10 and the sink base 1 within the sink bowl 2 without any separation space.

[0324] With the sink rack 120 fastened, the cover guide 130 is fixed to the fixing surface of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation section 200.

[0325] The cover guide 130 has a fixing surface 137 on which the input cover 111 is fixed, and guides the fixing of the input cover 111.

[0326] As described above, the cover guide 130 includes a side surface 132 that overlaps with the side surface of the sink rack 120 within the side surface of the sink rack 120, and a fixing surface 137 that is bent inward from below the side surface 132, on which the input cover 111 is fixed.

[0327] Furthermore, the cover guide 130 is provided with an expanded rim 131 having a step 133 so that the cover guide 130 is fixed on the fixing surface 137 of the solid-liquid separation section 200 inlet above the side surface 132.

[0328] The inclination of the expanded rim 131 allows the sink stand 2 to transmit food waste poured in through the drain outlet 4 to the lower solid-liquid separation section 200 while sliding.

[0329] A rocker slot 134 is formed in at least a portion of the side surface 132 of the cover guide 130, and the rocker slot 134 is an opening into which the rocker arm 281 of the rocker module 280 of the solid-liquid separation unit is pulled in to fix the input cover 111 and the cover guide 130.

[0330] The rocker slot 134 may be formed as a rectangular opening that is long and open to a predetermined width along the side surface 132, and may include a ridge in the middle region that slopes upward in a manner corresponding to the rocker arm 281 of the rocker module 280.

[0331] The fixing surface 137 may be removed at the bottom in a manner corresponding to the region where the rocker slot 134 is formed, but is not limited to this. That is, if the fixing surface 137 is removed, it may have a C-shape with a portion removed, rather than being ring-shaped.

[0332] The input cover 111 flows into the side surface of the sink rack 120 of the input section 100 and is inserted so as to be placed on the fixing surface 137 of the cover guide 130.

[0333] In this case, the input cover 111 is fixed within the cover guide 130 without any separate connecting structure such as screw connections, and a cover is available to prevent food waste from detaching to the outside when the food waste disposer 10 is being operated and when it is being operated.

[0334] As shown in Figure 6b, the input cover 111 is formed in the shape of a disc with a predetermined thickness so that it can rotate on the cover guide 130, and its surface is formed to be smooth and has no uneven structure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the food waste being injected from being left on an uneven structure and becoming contaminated.

[0335] The cover housing 1111 has an internal space, which can be formed in a cylindrical shape, and a predetermined number of magnets 112 may be arranged inside the cover housing 1111 at intervals from each other along the circumference.

[0336] Once the insertion cover 111 is fixed onto the cover guide 130, when the insertion cover 111 is fixed into the hole in the cover guide 130, it is supported by rising onto the fixing surface 137, and the inner side surface of the cover housing 1111 and the side surface of the cover guide 130 can be separated by a predetermined distance.

[0337] Therefore, even when the input cover 111 is closed, the water flowing through the sink 2 can be drawn into the drain outlet 270 via the aforementioned separation distance.

[0338] In particular, as shown in Figure 14, a portion of the fixing surface 137 of the cover guide 130 is cut into a C shape, and once the input cover 111 is fixed in place, the cut space 1371 of the fixing surface 137 functions as an inlet 281 for water to flow into the lower filter section 210.

[0339] On the other hand, a guide portion 136 is formed on the inner surface of the expansion rim 131 of the cover guide 130, and the guide portion 136 provides a light guide path for guiding the guidance indicator received from the light-emitting module 295 located in the lower solid-liquid separation section 200 and transmitting it to the upper part.

[0340] As shown in Figures 13a and 15, the light-emitting module 295 is located behind the solid-liquid separation unit 200, and is positioned at the upper end of the outer surface of the case 201, preferably at the lower end of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200.

[0341] The light-emitting module 295 is a device that emits a specific color of light in response to a control signal from the control unit C, and comprises a light-emitting element 2952 mounted on a circuit board 2951 and a light-direction switching unit arranged on the light-emitting element 2952.

[0342] The light-emitting module 295 has a light-emitting element 2952 that selectively emits a specific color in response to a control signal from the control unit C. For this reason, the light-emitting module 295 can be realized with three LED elements that emit RGB light, or alternatively, with LED elements that emit white light including color filters, but is not limited to these.

[0343] Specifically, when the control unit C recognizes that the input cover 111 covers the input slot, it may send a control signal to the light-emitting element 2952 to selectively emit light of a specific color.

[0344] The control unit C may transmit a control signal to change the color of the light-emitting element 2952 to be different when the input cover 111 covers the input opening and when food waste is being processed.

[0345] The light-emitting element 2952 can be positioned to emit light from bottom to top for efficient spatial distribution, and may include a light-direction converter 2953 for guiding the light injected from below to a desired position.

[0346] In this case, the light direction converter can be adapted as a structure such as a prism or optical fiber, which may refract the light and inject it into a guide positioned above. If the light direction converter is required, one end of the light direction converter is formed to penetrate the case 201 and align with the guide of the inner cover guide 130.

[0347] However, the light-emitting element 2952 can be positioned through the case 201 so that it is immediately positioned below the guide portion 136 without the need for a light-direction conversion portion.

[0348] As shown in Figure 15, the guide portion 136 of the cover guide 130 is equipped with a light guide that is exposed to the step of the expansion rim 131 and penetrates to the inclined surface.

[0349] The light guide can be made of light-emitting glass or plastic and guides light from the light-emitting module 295 drawn in from below to the guide portion 136 exposed on the inclined surface of the extension rim 131.

[0350] The guidance unit 136 provides the user with guidance displays commanded by the control unit C. These guidance displays can show the current operating status of the food waste processor 10, such as "operating," "operation complete," or "error." The "operating," "operation complete," and "error" displays can be simply indicated by light color, flicker, etc.

[0351] Preferably, if the device is not operating, it remains unlit. Once food waste is injected into the filter section and the input cover 111 is raised, the white element turns on and the guide unit 136 emits white light, after which the operation proceeds. The emission of white light may be maintained while the operation is in progress.

[0352] On the other hand, in the event of an emergency or error, the red element may be turned on, causing the guide unit to emit red light, and the emission of a specific color may progress depending on the type of error.

[0353] Furthermore, when it is necessary to inform the user that further food waste cannot be added, a flickering motion can be used to provide guidance, and various combinations of colors and motions can be used to match specific errors.

[0354] Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize the set illumination color and flicker operation of the guide unit 136 and quickly recognize the current state of the food waste disposer 10.

[0355] Such guide section 136 may be positioned on the inclined surface of the extension rim 131, and may be positioned behind the extension rim, within a visible area that can be immediately recognized without changing posture when the user is standing in front of the sink bowl, i.e., in front of the food waste disposer 1.

[0356] The position of the guide can be fixed by matching the fixing surface 137 of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation section 200 with the fixing structure on the back of the cover guide 130.

[0357] In other words, the internal structure of the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 and the back structure of the cover guide 130 have an uneven structure that connects them to each other, thereby enabling matching between the guide unit 136 and the light direction conversion unit 2953, and between the rocker module 280 and the rocker slot 134.

[0358] A feedback magnet 135 may be positioned below the guide portion 136 of the cover guide 130, and the feedback magnet 135 can work in conjunction with the magnet 112 of the input cover 111 to provide resistance when the input cover 111 rotates.

[0359] In this case, the magnetic force of the feedback magnet 135 may be even greater than the magnetic force of the magnet 112 of the input cover 111.

[0360] In this way, the input cover 111, the cover guide 130, and the inlet 2011 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 are fastened and housed together while being realized to be concentric with each other. As a result, the input cover 111 can be fixed within the cover guide 130 without the need for any separate fastening structure such as screw connections, and a cover can be used to provide operating instructions for the food waste processor 10 and to prevent food waste from detaching to the outside during operation.

[0361] Furthermore, the water drainage function can be maintained so that the sink stand 2 can be used even with the input cover 111 in place, and the sink stand 2 can be freely used even when the food waste disposer is operating below.

[0362] On the other hand, once the input cover 111 is fixed in place, a rocker arm 281 from a rocker module located in the solid-liquid separation section 200 passes through the rocker slot of the cover guide 130 to fix the side of the input cover 111. This operation is understood to prevent the input cover 111 from detaching due to vibrations caused by subsequent movement and agitation of the filter section.

[0363] For this purpose, the structure and operation of the rocker module will be explained with reference to Figures 16-17a and 17b.

[0364] Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the rocker module that secures the input section and the solid-liquid separation section 200 as shown in Figure 5, and Figures 17a and 17b are state diagrams showing the operation of securing the input section and the solid-liquid separation section 200 by the rocker module of Figure 16.

[0365] As shown in Figure 16, the rocker module 280 of one embodiment of the present disclosure may be positioned on the side of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, and on one rear side of the solid-liquid separation unit 200. For space utilization, it may be positioned on the opposite side from where the motor is located, but is not limited to this, and can be positioned anywhere as long as the rocker arm 281 can be extended to a position where the side of the input cover 111 can be fixed.

[0366] In other words, the rocker module 280 is positioned on the outer surface of the solid-liquid separation space of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 and moves the rocker arm 281 horizontally through a through-hole in the case 201 at the top of the solid-liquid separation space.

[0367] For this purpose, the rocker module 280 comprises a rocker base 282, a rocker motor 285, a pinion 284, a rocker rack 283, and a rocker arm 281, as shown in Figure 16.

[0368] The rocker base 282 accommodates the rocker rack 283 and forms a space in which the rocker rack 283 moves horizontally due to the operation of the rocker motor 285 and pinion 284.

[0369] A rocker motor 285 may be positioned below the rocker base 282. When the opening cover 111 rotates, the control unit C recognizes the operation command and operates the rocker motor 285.

[0370] When the rocker motor 285 operates, the rotation of the rotating shaft causes the pinion 284 to rotate, and the gears of the rocker rack 283, which mesh with the pinion 284, cause the rocker rack 283 to move horizontally from side to side.

[0371] The rocker rack 283 can move horizontally toward or away from the side of the case 201 by the rotation of the pinion 284, as the gear is pushed out or pushed in.

[0372] One end of the rocker rack 283, the end facing the case 201, is connected to one end of the rocker arm 281.

[0373] Therefore, the rocker arm 281 can move forward or backward toward the solid-liquid separation space while moving horizontally together with the horizontal movement of the rocker rack 283.

[0374] The rocker arm 281 is positioned so that one end 2813 is connected to the rocker rack 283 and the other end 2811 is located inside the case 201, passing through the case 201.

[0375] Therefore, the rocker arm 281 has one end 2813 formed in a bar type that can penetrate the case 201 and move forward and backward, and the other end 2811 has the shape of an arm that is branched and extends in different directions from each other, as shown in Figure 16.

[0376] With the other end 2811 of the branched rocker arm 281 positioned close to the side of the case 201, it moves horizontally toward the center of the solid-liquid separation space by the drive of the rocker motor 285.

[0377] The gears of this rocker rack 283 are arranged vertically, as shown in Figure 16, so that the pinion 284 can convert the rotational motion of the rocker motor 285 transmitted from below into horizontal motion.

[0378] The rocker module 280 may further include a touch sensor 290.

[0379] The touch sensor 290 may be located at one end of the rocker base 282, and the limit point may be set by the movement of the rocker rack 283.

[0380] In other words, when the rocker rack 283 moves horizontally and comes into contact with the touch sensor 290, the drive of the rocker motor 285 is stopped, preventing the rocker rack 283 from moving any further.

[0381] When the input cover 111 is pulled in by the rocker module 280 and the input cover 111 rotates, the control unit C senses the rotation of the input cover 111 and can operate the rocker module 280 accordingly. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17a, before operation, the rocker module 280 maintains a state in which the other end 2811 of the branched rocker arm 281 is positioned close to the side of the case 201.

[0382] At this time, if the rotation of the input cover 111 is detected, as shown in Figure 17b, the rocker motor 285 drives the pinion 284 to rotate, pushing the rocker rack 283 toward the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200. As a result, the rocker arm 281 moves horizontally toward the center of the solid-liquid separation space.

[0383] At this time, the rocker arm 281 moves straight through the rocker slit 134 of the cover guide 130 located in front of it until it fixes the side of the input cover 111 which is fixed on the cover guide 130.

[0384] When the side of the input cover 111 is touched, the straight movement of the rocker arm 281 is interrupted, and the branched angle of the rocker arm 281 prevents the input cover 111 from detaching from the input opening 2011.

[0385] A food waste disposer having such an input port 2011 recognizes a start command by fixing and rotating the input cover 111.

[0386] The start command recognition operation of one embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 18a to 21.

[0387] Figures 18a to 18c are diagrams showing the rotation of the input cover 111 in the first application example, and Figure 19 is a waveform diagram showing the sensing signals of the first sensor 290 and the second sensor 290 in Figures 18a to 18c.

[0388] As shown in Figure 18a, multiple magnets 112 are arranged spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the upper plate of the input cover 111.

[0389] The plurality of magnets 112 are magnets 112 of the same size and having the same magnetic force, and are formed to have the same polarity. Such magnets 112 are arranged to have the same separation distance and can be formed at a predetermined distance from the center point of the cover housing 1111, for example, at an angle of 360 / n. The n is defined as the number of magnets 112.

[0390] Figure 18a illustrates the case where six magnets 112 are arranged, but the diagram is not limited to this arrangement.

[0391] If there are six magnets 112, they may be arranged so as to have a separation angle of 60 degrees.

[0392] If there are four magnets 112, they may be arranged so as to have a 90-degree separation angle.

[0393] If we illustrate the positions of each magnet 112 and the Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) with respect to the center point O of the upper plate, that is, the center point of the entrance 2011, it may be as shown in Figure 18a.

[0394] At least two Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) may be placed on the rear surface of the case 201 of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 shown in Figure 13a.

[0395] The two Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) are spaced apart from each other and may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the lighting module 295. In this arrangement, the separation angle of the Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) is different from the separation angle of the magnet 112.

[0396] Each Hall sensor 290 (291, 292) in Figure 13a corresponds to the respective sensor in Figure 18a.

[0397] In other words, the first Hall sensor 291 may correspond to the first sensor S1, and the second Hall sensor 292 may correspond to the second sensor S2.

[0398] The acute angle among the separation angles θ2 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may be greater than the separation angle θ1 of the magnets 112 and M1-M6.

[0399] In this case, the separation angle θ2 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may have the following formula with respect to the separation angle θ1 of the magnets 112 and M1-M6.

[0400] [Mathematics 1]

number

[0401] In this case, n may be 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. For example, if the separation angle θ1 of magnets 112, M1-M6 is 90 degrees, the first and second sensors S1, S2 may have separation angles θ2 of 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees, or 315 degrees.

[0402] As another example, if the separation angle θ1 of magnets 112, M1-M6 is 60 degrees, the first and second sensors S1, S2 may have separation angles θ2 of 30 degrees, 90 degrees, 150 degrees, 210 degrees, 270 degrees, or 330 degrees.

[0403] Furthermore, the first and second sensors S1 and S2 described above may be arranged in multiple pairs. When the first and second sensors S1 and S2 are arranged in multiple pairs, the first sensor S1 can be arranged at a distance from each first sensor S1 such that it has the same angle as the separation angle θ1 of the magnets, and the second sensor S2 can be arranged so that it has the separation angle shown in Equation 1 from each first sensor S1.

[0404] In Figures 18a and 18b, for illustrative purposes, the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may be arranged so as to be at a 90-degree angle, but are not limited to this arrangement.

[0405] However, when the state in which the first and second sensors S1 and S2 detect the presence of the magnet 112 is defined as 1, and the state in which they detect the absence of the magnet 112 is defined as 0, the angle at which the value changes from 1 to 0 will appear differently for each of the first and second sensors S1 and S2.

[0406] This is possible because the separation angles θ2 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 and the separation angles θ1 of the magnets 112 and M1-M6 are different from each other.

[0407] For example, as shown in Figures 18a to 18c, if the magnets 112 are arranged at 60-degree intervals and the first and second sensors S1 and S2 are arranged at 90-degree intervals, the input cover 111 is placed on the cover guide 130 without a fixed position in a rotatable state.

[0408] In this case, the sensing range θ3 of each of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 refers to a predetermined angle in front of and behind when the first and second sensors S1 and S2 and the magnet 112 are arranged within the same radius.

[0409] Figures 18a to 18c illustrate the case where the sensing range θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 is greater than half the separation angle θ1 of the magnets 112, M1-M6. As an example, in Figures 18a and 18b, the sensing range θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may have a sensing range of approximately 40 degrees.

[0410] In the first state shown in Figure 18a, the first magnet M1 is positioned on the same radius as the first sensor S1, and no magnets 112 are positioned within the sensing range θ3 of the second sensor S2.

[0411] At this time, if the input cover 111 is rotated counterclockwise or clockwise, the sensing signals from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 will vary depending on the rotation angle, as shown in Figure 19.

[0412] As shown in Figure 18b, for example, if it rotates counterclockwise, the first sensor S1 will sense the presence of the first magnet M1 up to 20 degrees and send a sensing signal of 1, and beyond 20 degrees it will go out of the sensing range and send a sensing signal of 0.

[0413] On the other hand, in the case of the second sensor S2, when it rotates 10 degrees, it senses the presence of the sixth magnet M6 and the sensing signal changes from 0 to 1, and it recognizes the presence of the sixth magnet M6 for 40 degrees of rotation and maintains a value of 1.

[0414] As shown in Figure 18c, if the first sensor S1 rotates further counterclockwise, when the rotation progresses beyond 40 degrees, it recognizes the presence of the second magnet M2 and sends out a sensing signal 1 again.

[0415] In the case of the second sensor S2, if the rotation angle exceeds 50 degrees, no magnet 112 is detected, and a sensing signal of 0 is sent.

[0416] Therefore, while the rotation angle is variable from 0 to 60 degrees, the first sensor S1 changes from 1 to 0 at 20 degrees and changes again from 0 to 1 at 40 degrees, while the second sensor S2 changes from 0 to 1 at 10 degrees and changes again from 1 to 0 at 50 degrees.

[0417] Thus, because the separation angle θ2 of sensor 290 and the separation angle θ1 of magnet 112 do not coincide, the intervals in which the sensing signal changes at each sensor 290 do not coincide.

[0418] Therefore, the user is informed that the operation start command can be initiated by simply rotating the cover 111, and the control unit C can recognize the operation start command even within a small rotation angle between 0 and 90 degrees when the user rotates the closing cover 111.

[0419] The following describes the operation start recognition of the control unit C in one embodiment of this disclosure, with reference to Figure 20.

[0420] First, the control unit C periodically reads and stores the sensing signals from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 (S10).

[0421] For this purpose, the control unit C may be equipped with a memory of a predetermined size, which can calculate and store enable values ​​E1, E2 and timer values ​​for state determination according to the values ​​of each period.

[0422] The control unit periodically reads the sensing signals from the first sensor 290 and the second sensor 290, thereby determining the current position and state of the opening cover 111 and adjusting the light emission color of the guide unit 136, while simultaneously proceeding with the driving of each module (S11).

[0423] When the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 in the current cycle are read out, the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 satisfy one of four states, as shown in Figure 20.

[0424] At this time, if the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 are all 0, it is determined that the input cover 111 is not positioned on the cover guide 130 (S12).

[0425] When one of the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 has a value of 1 and the other has a value of 0, the case where the first sensor S1 has a value of 1 is defined as the first state (S13), and the case where the second sensor S2 has a value of 1 is defined as the second state (S14).

[0426] On the other hand, if the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 are both 1, it is determined that the previous state should be maintained (S15).

[0427] This allows the state of the insertion cover 111 to be determined by comparing the state value of the current period with the state value of the previous period (S16).

[0428] Specifically, if it is determined that there is no cover 111 in the current cycle, both Enable 1 (hereinafter E1) and Enable 2 (hereinafter E2) are set to the off state (S17).

[0429] On the other hand, if the previous cycle was in state 2 and the current cycle is in state 1, turn E1 on and set timer 1 to the current time (S18).

[0430] On the other hand, if the previous cycle was in state 1 and the current cycle is in state 2, turn E2 on and set timer 2 to the current time (S19).

[0431] On the other hand, if the previous state is maintained because the values ​​of both sensors S1 and S2 are all 1, the values ​​of E1 and E2 do not change (S20).

[0432] Once the E1 and E2 values ​​and the Timer 1 and 2 values ​​are set in this manner, the control unit C determines whether there is an operation start command from the user (S21).

[0433] Specifically, if both E1 and E2 have values ​​set to "on", and the difference between the time values ​​of Timer 1 and Timer 2 satisfies the critical time tth, it is determined that there is an operation start command (S22).

[0434] In other words, rotation of the input cover 111 occurs within a short critical time tth, causing the value of the first sensor S1 to change, and the change in the value of the second sensor S2 within a time different from or not far from the time of the first sensor S1 is recognized as rotation (S23).

[0435] Thus, once the rotation of the input cover 111 is detected, the control unit C prepares for the operation of the food waste processor 10 and drives the rocker module 280 to perform the transfer operation with the input cover 111 fixed in place.

[0436] This allows the input cover 111 to be fixed without an externally exposed user interface, and a start command can be applied and recognized by partially rotating it, thus preventing accidental operation.

[0437] In other words, by providing multiple Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) and multiple magnets 112, and by shaping the separation angles θ1 and θ2 between the Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) and the magnets 112 to be different from each other, the angles at which each Hall sensor 290 (291, 292) is turned on and off are set to be different, and the start command can only be recognized when both Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) are in a variable state.

[0438] Therefore, it is possible to prevent errors in which one unit operates erratically due to a small impact, and by including the time difference value for the rotation as a condition, operation is possible after accurate recognition of the rotation.

[0439] Furthermore, the operation of reading the sensing signals from these two periodic Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) can be carried out while the food waste disposer 10 is in operation.

[0440] Meanwhile, the control unit C of the food waste disposer 10 interrupts its operation to read the sensing signal under specific conditions and enters a pause state.

[0441] The rest state engagement mechanism of the present invention will be explained below with reference to Figure 21.

[0442] Figure 21 is a sequence diagram showing a method for recognizing an emergency situation in response to the values ​​of the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2.

[0443] As shown in Figure 20, the control unit periodically reads the sensing signals from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 while the opening cover 111 is fixed in place, and sets the E1 and E2 values ​​for the current state (S100).

[0444] At this time, as shown in Figure 20, if both the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 have a value of 0, it is determined that the input cover 111 is missing (S101).

[0445] At this time, if the food waste disposer 10 has been operating up to the previous cycle (S102), that is, if the motors of the solid-liquid separation unit 200, the decomposition unit 300 and the transfer unit 400 are operating, the control unit determines that it is an emergency situation and interrupts all of the operations (S103).

[0446] In other words, the operation of the stirring motor 30 of the decomposition unit 300 and the transfer operation of the transfer unit 400 are both interrupted, thereby completely halting the mixing of food waste and microorganisms inside, as well as the movement of decomposed material.

[0447] In this way, if it is determined that there is no input cover 111, the movement of the object can be interrupted, thereby preventing food waste or foul odors from leaking out through the input section 11.

[0448] If a user terminal is connected, the control unit C can send an alarm to the user via the application on that user terminal.

[0449] Simultaneously, an alarm can be triggered via a specific color display or flicker on the guidance unit 136, and a voice announcement can be made to the user via the speaker to alert them that the insertion cover 111 has been detached. When the insertion cover 111 is then placed back in that position, the operation can proceed anew.

[0450] In this way, the control unit C periodically recognizes the presence and rotation state of the input cover 111, and thereby drives each module, allowing the user to issue operation commands without any other operating unit, in addition to the input cover 111 which is exposed to the outside as a built-in food waste disposer inserted inside the sink unit 2.

[0451] On the other hand, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an input cover and a state recognition method according to a second application example, as shown in Figures 22a to 24.

[0452] Figures 22a and 22b are diagrams showing the rotation of the input cover according to the second application example, and Figure 23 is a waveform diagram showing the sensing signals of the first and second sensors in Figures 22a and 22b.

[0453] In the second application example shown in Figures 22a and 22b, multiple magnets 112 are arranged spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the upper plate of the input cover 111.

[0454] The plurality of magnets 112 are magnets 112 of the same size and having the same magnetic force, and are formed to have the same polarity. Such magnets 112 are arranged to have the same separation distance and can be formed at a predetermined distance from the center point of the cover housing 1111, for example, at an angle of 360 / n. The n is defined as the number of magnets 112.

[0455] The relationship between the arrangement of the magnet 112 and the first and second sensors S1 and S2 in Figures 22a and 22b and the separation angles θ1 and θ2 is the same as in Figures 18a and 18b and Equation 1.

[0456] In Figures 22a and 22b, the acute angle among the separation angles θ2 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may be greater than the separation angle θ1 of the magnets 112 and M1-M6.

[0457] In Figures 22a and 22b, for illustrative purposes, the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may be arranged so as to be at a 90-degree angle, but are not limited thereto.

[0458] However, when the state in which the first and second sensors S1 and S2 detect the presence of the magnet 112 is defined as 1, and the state in which they detect the absence of the magnet 112 is defined as 0, the angle at which the value changes from 1 to 0 will appear differently for each of the first and second sensors S1 and S2.

[0459] This is possible because the separation angles θ2 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 and the separation angles θ1 of the magnets 112 and M1-M6 are different from each other.

[0460] For example, as shown in Figures 22a and 22b, when the magnets 112 are arranged at 60-degree intervals and the first and second sensors S1 and S2 are arranged at 90-degree intervals, the input cover 111 is placed on the cover guide 130 in a rotatable state.

[0461] In this case, the sensing ranges θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 in Figures 22a and 22b refer to a predetermined front-to-back angle when the first and second sensors S1 and S2 and the magnet 112 are arranged within the same radius, and the explanation will be based on the case where the sensing ranges θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 are smaller than half the separation angle θ1 of the magnets 112, M1-M6.

[0462] If the sensing range θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 is smaller than half the separation angle θ1 of the magnets 112 and M1-M6, then, as shown in Figure 23, there is a section in which the first and second sensors S1 and S2 emit a sensing signal of 0, in which they cannot detect the magnets 112 and M1-M6, due to the rotation of the input cover 111.

[0463] In other words, with the input cover 111 present, there may be multiple intervals during rotation in which the first and second sensors S1 and S2 all emit a sensing signal of 0.

[0464] Therefore, the food waste disposer 10 can identify the starting point T0, which is the position where the initial input cover 111 is placed, in order to distinguish between a state where the input cover 111 is absent and a section where the input cover 111 is present inside the inlet 2011 but the sensing signal is 0.

[0465] For this purpose, as shown in Figure 22a, the input cover 111 may further include a structural member 118 for aligning one of the magnets 112, M1-M6, to a starting point T0 which is on the same diameter as the first sensor S1.

[0466] The structural member 118 can be realized as a rib protruding upward from the upper surface of the input cover 111, as shown in Figure 22a, and can be formed with a predetermined distance such that it passes over the magnets 112, M1-M6 along the radius.

[0467] Therefore, by positioning the input cover 111 so that the longitudinal direction of the structural member 118 coincides with the starting point T0, the sensing of the input cover 111 begins.

[0468] The starting point T0 can be recognized by the user when a light source or fluorescent member 291 is formed around the first sensor S1 and emits specific light.

[0469] On the other hand, contrary to this, a magnetic material acting attractively towards each other may be placed between the inlet of the solid-liquid separation unit 200 and the input cover 111. Therefore, if the input cover 111 is positioned at the inlet 2011 by the magnetic material, it can rotate at the starting point T0 and automatically adjust its position, and the first and second sensors S1 and S2 can detect rotation after it is positioned at the starting point T0.

[0470] Thus, if the sensing range θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 is less than half the separation angle θ1 of the input cover 111, the rotational operation can proceed after matching the position of one of the magnets 112, M1-M6 of the input cover 111 with the first sensor S1 at the starting point T0.

[0471] The sensing range θ3 of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 may have a sensing range of approximately 20 degrees.

[0472] In the first state shown in Figure 22a, the first magnet M1 is positioned on the same radius as the first sensor S1, i.e., at the starting point T0, and no magnets 112 are positioned within the sensing range θ3 of the second sensor S2.

[0473] At this time, if the input cover 111 is rotated counterclockwise or clockwise, the sensing signals from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 will vary depending on the rotation angle, as shown in Figure 23.

[0474] For example, if the sensor rotates counterclockwise, the first sensor S1 will detect the presence of the first magnet M1 up to 10 degrees and send a detection signal of 1. After 10 degrees, it will move out of the detection range and send a detection signal of 0. At this point, if the rotation continues and exceeds 50 degrees, it will recognize the presence of the second magnet M2 and send another detection signal of 1.

[0475] On the other hand, in the case of the second sensor S2, when it rotates 20 degrees, it senses the presence of the sixth magnet M6 and the sensing signal changes from 0 to 1. It recognizes the presence of the sixth magnet M6 for the duration of the 20-degree rotation and maintains a value of 1. When the rotation angle exceeds 40 degrees, no magnet 112 is recognized and a sensing signal of 0 is sent again.

[0476] Therefore, while the rotation angle is 0 and variable by 60 degrees, the first sensor S1 changes from 1 to 0 at 10 degrees and changes again from 0 to 1 at 50 degrees, while the second sensor S2 changes from 0 to 1 at 20 degrees and changes again from 1 to 0 at 40 degrees.

[0477] Thus, because the separation angle θ2 of sensor 290 and the separation angle θ1 of magnet 112 do not coincide, the intervals in which the sensing signal changes at each sensor 290 do not coincide.

[0478] Therefore, the user is informed that the operation start command can be initiated by simply rotating the cover 111, and the control unit C can recognize the operation start command even within a small rotation angle between 0 and 90 degrees when the user rotates the closing cover 111.

[0479] The following describes the method for recognizing the state of the input cover 111 in relation to its rotation, with reference to Figure 24.

[0480] First, when the user places the input cover 111 on the cover guide 116 such that the starting point T0 of one of the first and second sensors S1 and S2 and one of the magnets 112, M1-M6 are aligned in a straight line, the control unit C receives initial sensing signals from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 (S30).

[0481] Next, the control unit C periodically reads and stores the sensing signals from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 (S31).

[0482] The control unit C periodically reads the sensing signals from the first sensor 290 and the second sensor 290, thereby determining the current position and state of the opening cover 111 and adjusting the light emission color of the guide unit 136, while simultaneously proceeding with the driving of each module.

[0483] When the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 in the current cycle are read out, the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 satisfy one of three states, as shown in Figure 24.

[0484] At this time, if the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 all change to 0 due to rotation after receiving the initial sensing signal, it is determined that the opening cover 111 is positioned on the cover guide 130 and the previous state is maintained (S34).

[0485] When one of the sensing signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 has a value of 1 and the other has a value of 0, the case where the first sensor S1 has a value of 1 is defined as the first state (S32), and the case where the second sensor S2 has a value of 1 is defined as the second state (S33).

[0486] This allows the state of the insertion cover 111 to be determined by comparing the state value of the current period with the state value of the previous period (S35).

[0487] Specifically, if the previous period was the second state and the current period is changing to the first state, or if the previous period was the first state and the current period is the second state, the time between the first and second states, which is the transition time, is measured (S36).

[0488] If the measured change state time satisfies the critical time tth, it is determined that there is an operation start command from the user (S37).

[0489] In other words, rotation of the input cover 111 occurs within a short critical time tth, causing the value of the first sensor S1 to change, and the value of the second sensor S2 also changes within a different but not distant time from that of the first sensor S1, which is recognized as rotation.

[0490] Thus, once the rotation of the input cover 111 is detected, the control unit C prepares for the operation of the food waste processor 10 and drives the rocker module 280 to perform the transfer operation with the input cover 111 fixed in place (S38).

[0491] This allows the input cover 111 to be fixed without an externally exposed user interface, and a start command to be applied by partially rotating it, which can be recognized, thus preventing accidental operation.

[0492] In other words, by providing multiple Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) and multiple magnets 112, and by shaping the separation angles θ1 and θ2 between the Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) and the magnets 112 to be different from each other, the angles at which each Hall sensor 290 (291, 292) is turned on and off are set to be different, and the start command can only be recognized when both Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) are in a variable state.

[0493] Therefore, errors that cause one sensor to operate erratically due to a small impact can be prevented, and by including the time difference value relative to the rotation as a condition, operation is possible only after accurate recognition of the rotation. Furthermore, by enabling the recognition of the start of rotation detection separately in the case of Hall sensors 290 (291, 292) with low power, various applications become possible depending on the sensing range of the Hall sensors 290 (291, 292).

[0494] One embodiment of this disclosure includes each embodiment and various variations thereof discussed herein. According to one embodiment of this disclosure, at least one feature described above in one embodiment or example may also be applied to other embodiments or examples described above. One or more features described above may be combined with each of the embodiments or examples described above. One or more embodiments or partial combinations of embodiments of one embodiment of this disclosure are also part of this embodiment.

Claims

1. An input section comprising an input cover that covers the input opening, and a cover guide that is fixed inside the input opening and guides the input cover, A solid-liquid separation unit that receives food waste from the aforementioned input opening, separates the liquid from the food waste, and drops the solid food waste to the lower part, A decomposition unit is located below the solid-liquid separation unit and includes a stirring module that mixes the dropped food waste with microorganisms, Equipped with, A food waste disposer in which the operation of the solid-liquid separation unit and the decomposition unit begins when the input cover rotates on the cover guide.

2. The food waste processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the input port is defined as the entrance to the solid-liquid separation section, and the entrance to the solid-liquid separation section, the cover guide, and the input cover form concentric circles.

3. The food waste processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the cover guide has a side surface that overlaps with the inner surface of the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section, and a fixing surface that is bent inward from the lower part of the side surface to fix the input cover.

4. The food waste disposer according to claim 3, wherein the side surface of the cover guide is provided with an inclined extension rim.

5. The food waste disposer according to claim 4, wherein the fixing surface of the cover guide is formed in a C shape with a portion open.

6. The food waste disposer according to claim 5, wherein the side surface of the cover guide is provided with a rocker slot through which a rocker arm passes along the curved surface.

7. The food waste disposer according to claim 6, wherein the input cover is placed on the fixing surface of the cover guide and allows liquid from above to flow downward through the open area of ​​the fixing surface.

8. The aforementioned input cover is The food waste disposer according to claim 6, further comprising an upper plate and a cover body having a narrower diameter than the upper plate and a predetermined thickness below the upper plate.

9. The food waste disposer according to claim 8, wherein the input cover is formed in the shape of a disc.

10. The food waste disposer according to claim 8, wherein the input cover has a flat shape without any irregularities on its surface.

11. The food waste disposer according to claim 8, wherein the cover body contains a plurality of magnets, and the plurality of magnets are spaced apart at the same first angle.

12. The food waste processor according to claim 11, wherein at least two sensors for detecting the presence of the plurality of magnets are arranged at a second angle apart at the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section.

13. The food waste disposer according to claim 12, wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

14. The food waste disposer according to claim 12, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

15. The food waste disposer according to claim 12, wherein the at least two sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, and when the input cover is rotated, the angle at which the first sensor detects a change in the state of the magnet and the angle at which the second sensor detects a change in the state of the magnet are different.

16. The food waste disposer according to claim 15, wherein the sensing signals from the first sensor and the second sensor are periodically read, and it is determined that the input cover has rotated when a change in the state of the first sensor and the second sensor occurs within a critical time.

17. The food waste disposer according to claim 16, wherein the input cover includes six magnets, each magnet being spaced apart at the first angle of 60 degrees, and the first sensor and the second sensor are spaced apart at the second angle of 90 degrees.

18. The food waste disposer according to claim 4, wherein the cover guide further comprises a light-emitting guide portion in the inclined region of the expansion rim that indicates the status of the food waste disposer to the user.

19. The food waste disposer according to claim 18, wherein the inlet of the solid-liquid separation section is further provided with a lighting module in a region that matches the light-emitting guide section, for emitting specific light to the light-emitting guide section according to the state of the food waste disposer.

20. The food waste disposer according to claim 19, further comprising a rocker module that, when the solid-liquid separation unit determines that the food waste disposer has started operating due to the rotation of the input cover, pushes out a rocker arm from the side of the inlet through the rocker slot to fix the input cover.

21. An input section comprising an input cover that covers the input opening, and a cover guide that is fixed inside the input opening and guides the input cover, A solid-liquid separation unit that receives food waste from the aforementioned input opening, separates the liquid from the food waste, and drops the solid food waste to the lower part, A decomposition unit is located below the solid-liquid separation unit and includes a stirring module that mixes the dropped food waste with microorganisms, The aforementioned input cover includes a plurality of magnets arranged at a distance from each other, At least two sensors are arranged in the solid-liquid separation section and detect the presence of the plurality of magnets, A control unit that operates at least one of the solid-liquid separation unit and the decomposition unit in accordance with the sensing value input from the sensor by the movement of the input cover, A food waste disposer equipped with the following features.

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