Cold and warm water machine

Abstract

To provide a cold / warm water machine that can efficiently detect the weight of a water tank.SOLUTION: A cold / warm water machine includes: a main body including a first surface, a second surface that is a surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface between the first surface and the second surface, and in which an extraction port fluidically communicating with a water tank is arranged in at least one of the first surface or the side surface; a water guard housed in the main body, and on which the water tank is placed; and a weight detection part fitted to the water guard. The weight detection part detects the weight of the water tank, and a remaining amount of water in the water tank is estimated on the basis of weight information of the water tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a cold and warm water dispenser.

Background Art

[0002] A cold and warm water dispenser is provided with a water bucket filled with water and can adjust the temperature of the water from the bucket and discharge it. For example, Korean Registered Utility Model No. 0112708 discloses an upwardly installed mineral water cold and warm water dispenser for the mineral water discharge part of a mineral water bottle.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a cold and warm water dispenser that can efficiently detect the weight of a water bucket.

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a cold and warm water dispenser that can relatively accurately estimate the remaining amount of a water bucket through the weight information of the water bucket.

[0005] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a cold and warm water dispenser in which a weight detection unit capable of detecting the weight of a water bucket can be easily provided.

[0006] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a cold and warm water dispenser in which the weight detection unit can be held in its original position during the assembly of the cold and warm water dispenser.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A cold and warm water dispenser equipped with a water bucket according to an embodiment includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and side surfaces between the first surface and the second surface. A main body having a discharge port that communicates with the water bucket fluidly is disposed on at least one of the first surface or the side surface. A water guard housed in the main body on which the water bucket is placed, and a weight detection unit attached to the water guard are included. The weight detection unit detects the weight of the water bucket, and the remaining amount of water in the water bucket can be estimated based on the weight information of the water bucket.

[0008] In one embodiment, the cold and warm water dispenser further includes a control unit housed in the main body and including at least one processor. The control unit can estimate the remaining amount of the water bucket based on the weight information of the water bucket.

[0009] In one embodiment, the weight detection unit can include a load cell module.

[0010] The load cell module is configured in a plurality, and the plurality of load cell modules can be arranged at the ends of the water guard so as to be separated from each other.

[0011] The load cell module can include a load cell, an upper cover covering the upper part of the load cell, a lower cover covering the lower part of the load cell and coupled to the upper cover, and a pad attached to one surface of the lower cover.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cold and warm water dispenser further includes a stem protruding from the second surface of the main body toward the first surface, and the anti-slip pad can be placed at the end of the stem.

[0013] In one embodiment, a placement groove for housing the upper cover is formed on the lower surface of the water guard facing the second surface of the main body. The water guard is supported by the load cell module through the placement groove, and the load cell module can be supported by the stem.

[0014] The cold and hot water dispenser including a water bucket according to an embodiment includes a main body having a discharge port communicating with the water bucket on one surface, a weight detection unit disposed below the water bucket in the direction of gravity to support the water bucket, and a control unit that receives a signal from the weight detection unit and estimates the remaining amount of the water bucket.

[0015] In one embodiment, the weight detection unit can include a load cell module.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control unit can convert the signal received from the load cell module into the current weight of the water bucket, compare the current weight of the water bucket with the weight of the water bucket when it is empty, and estimate the remaining amount of the water bucket.

[0017] If the control unit determines that the remaining amount of the water bucket is equal to or less than a set value, it generates a water bucket replacement signal, and the water bucket replacement signal can be transmitted to a display module or an acoustic module provided on the outer surface of the main body, or transmitted to the outside of the main body via a communication module.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The cold and hot water dispenser according to an embodiment can efficiently detect the weight of the water bucket.

[0019] The cold and hot water dispenser according to an embodiment can relatively accurately estimate the remaining amount of the water bucket through the weight information of the water bucket.

[0020] The cold and hot water dispenser according to an embodiment facilitates the provision of a weight detection unit capable of detecting the weight of the water bucket.

[0021] The cold and hot water dispenser according to an embodiment ensures that the weight detection unit is held in its original position during assembly.

[0022] The effects of the cooling and heating water machine according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and different effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various changes may be made to the examples, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by such examples. It should be understood that all changes, equivalents or alternatives to the examples are included in the scope of the rights.

[0025] The terms used in the examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as being intended to limit. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs. Commonly used predefined terms shall be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art and shall not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined herein.

[0027] Also, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, regardless of the reference numerals, the same components shall be given the same reference signs, and duplicate descriptions thereof shall be omitted. In the description of the embodiments, if a specific description of a related known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed description thereof shall be omitted.

[0028] Also, in describing the components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. These terms are for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by these terms. When it is mentioned that any component is "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component is directly connected or joined to the other component, but additional components can be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" between each component.

[0029] Components including the same functions as the components included in any of the embodiments shall be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in any of the embodiments shall also apply to other embodiments, and specific descriptions within the overlapping scope shall be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which a door 300 of the cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a water guard 500 of the cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a square cross section of a part of the cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a part of the water guard 500 of the cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a disassembled shape of a load cell module of the cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cooling and heating water machine 10 according to an embodiment includes a main body 100, a water bucket 200 accommodated in the main body 100, a door 300 disposed in front of the main body 100, a stem 400 disposed inside the main body 100, a water guard 500 accommodated in the main body 100 on which the water bucket 200 is placed, and a weight detection unit 600 attached to the water guard 500.

[0032] In one embodiment, the main body 100 includes a first surface 102 (for example, the surface facing in the +Z direction in FIG. 1), a second surface that is the opposite surface of the first surface 102 (for example, the surface facing in the -Z direction in FIG. 1), and side surfaces 104 between the first surface 102 and the second surface. The main body 100 may have an internal space defined by the first surface 102, the second surface, and the side surfaces 104, and various components such as the water bucket 200 and a pump may be accommodated in the internal space. The extraction port is provided on the side surface 104 and is in fluid communication with the water bucket 200, and the water in the water bucket can be extracted from the outside of the main body 100 through the extraction port. The extraction port may be formed on the first surface 102.

[0033] On the front side (for example, the surface facing the +Y direction in FIG. 1) of the side surface 104 of the main body 100, there is a door 300 that can be opened and closed. The door 300 may be arranged below the extraction part (for example, in the -Z direction in FIG. 1). When the door 300 is opened, the internal space of the main body 100 is opened, and the water bucket 200 can enter and exit the internal space. For example, the water bucket 200 can be replaced, placed on the water guard 500 described later, and the water guard 500 can be configured to be movable inside and outside the internal space of the main body 100. Since the water bucket 200 can be positioned below the main body 100, the difficulty that the user has to lift the water bucket 200 above the main body 100 (for example, on the +Z direction side in FIG. 1) during replacement of the water bucket 200 is eliminated.

[0034] The water bucket 200 is connected to the extraction port via the water guard 500, a water supply line, a pump, etc. Generally, when the cold and hot water machine 10 is in use, the door 300 is held in a closed state. Since the water bucket 200 is not directly exposed to the user by the door 300, the remaining amount of water in the water bucket 200 may not be directly visible to the user. The user can grasp the remaining amount of water through the weight of the water bucket measured by the weight detection unit 600. This will be described in detail later.

[0035] The stem 400 extends from the second surface of the main body 100 toward the first surface 102 and has a cylindrical shape. The water guard 500 is placed on the upper part of the stem 400, and a plurality of stems 400 can be arranged at intervals from each other. For example, the lower part of the stem 400 is fixed to the moving plate, and a moving module (for example, wheels) is mounted on the lower part of the moving plate. By the moving plate that can easily enter and exit the inside and outside of the internal space of the main body 100 entering and exiting the inside and outside of the internal space, the water guard 500 and the water bucket 200 placed thereon together with the stem 400 can also easily enter and exit the inside and outside of the internal space.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the water guard 500 may have a substantially hexahedral outer shape. The water guard 500 may include an inlet 530, and the inlet 530 is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the water guard 500 (for example, the surface facing the +Z direction in FIG. 4). The water bucket 200 is placed on the inlet 530, and the water in the water bucket 200 flows in. The upper surface of the water guard 500 may be configured to sink from the edge toward the inlet 530, and the water bucket 200 can be stably placed on the water guard 500.

[0037] In one embodiment, a weight detection unit 600 is attached to the water guard 500. The weight detection unit 600 is attached to the lower surface of the water guard 500 (for example, the surface facing the -Z direction in FIG. 4). By arranging the weight detection unit 600 below the gravity direction of the water bucket 200, the weight detection unit 600 can easily detect the weight of the water bucket 200. The cold and hot water machine 10 according to one embodiment may further include a control unit housed in the main body 100 and including at least one processor. The control unit can estimate the remaining amount of water in the water bucket 200 based on the weight information of the water bucket 200.

[0038] In one embodiment, the weight detection unit 600 includes a first load cell module 610, a second load cell module 620, a third load cell module 630, and a fourth load cell module 640 arranged to be separated from the edge of the water guard 500. FIG. 3 shows the weight detection unit 600 including four load cell modules 610, 620, 630, and 640, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, depending on the shape of the water bucket 200 or the required accuracy, less than three load cell modules or more than five load cell modules may be included.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 are each supported by the stem 400, and the water guard 500 is supported by the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640. When the water bucket 200 is placed on the water guard 500, all of the weight of the water bucket 200 in the direction of gravity can be transmitted to the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640. For example, the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 can be calibrated in a state where the water bucket 200 is not placed (for example, setting the state without the water bucket 200 to 0), and the weight of the water bucket 200 can be measured in a state where the water bucket 200 is placed. Here, the control unit can calculate the average value of the weight information of each of the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 and derive the accurate weight information of the water bucket 200. The control unit can estimate the remaining amount of water in the water bucket 200 by comparing the weight information of the empty water bucket 200, which is in a state where the water bucket 200 is empty, and the weight information of the currently measured water bucket 200, which is input in advance.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 include an upper cover 601, a load cell 602, a lower cover 603, and a pad 604.

[0041] For example, the load cell 602 may be a three-wire load cell sensor and may include a central portion protruding in the center and two branched portions branched on both sides of the central portion. At least one of the central portion or the branched portion can be configured to be elastically deformed. When the load of the water bucket 200 is transmitted to the load cell 602, the central portion or the branched portion is elastically deformed, and the resistance of the strain gauge coupled thereto is changed correspondingly. The electrical signal generated in this way can be amplified so that a minute difference can be read via an electrical circuit (wheatstone bridge).

[0042] The upper cover 601 may include an upper cover plate that can cover the upper part of the load cell 602 (e.g., the +Z direction side in FIG. 6), and a load cell fixing element that surrounds the outer contour of the load cell 602. The load cell fixing element may protrude downward (e.g., the -Z direction in FIG. 6) from the upper cover plate.

[0043] The lower cover 603 includes a lower cover plate that can cover the lower part of the load cell 602 (e.g., the -Z direction side in FIG. 6). The lower cover 603 may further include an engaging protrusion or a locking groove for coupling with the upper cover 601.

[0044] The pad 604 can be coupled to the lower surface of the lower cover 603 (e.g., the surface facing the -Z direction in FIG. 6). The pad 604 is made of a material that can prevent slipping. For example, the pad 604 may be made of a rubber material. The pad 604 is placed on the end of the stem 400, where the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 can be held in their original positions without slipping off the stem 400 by the pad 604.

[0045] On the lower surface of the water guard 500 (e.g., the surface facing the -Z direction in FIG. 6), a placement groove 520 for accommodating the upper cover 601 is formed. At least a part of the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 with the upper cover 601, the load cell 602, the lower cover 603, and the pad 604 coupled together is accommodated in the placement groove 520 of the water guard 500, where most of the upper cover plate of the upper cover 601 can be accommodated in the placement groove 520.

[0046] The water guard 500 is supported by the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640, and the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 are supported by the stem 400. Therefore, the water guard 500 and the stem 400 can be held in a separated state from each other. As a result, the assembly process of the water guard 500 and the stem 400 may become complicated or errors may occur during assembly. However, such problems are solved by the placement groove 520 of the water guard 500 and the pads 604 of the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640. For example, in the assembly process, when the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 are placed on the stem 400, the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 can be stably held by the pads 604 without departing from their original positions. In this state, when the water guard 500 enters onto the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640, the upper covers 601 of the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 are received in the placement groove 520 of the water guard 500, thereby making the assembly process of the water guard 500 smooth. Also, the placement groove 520 can effectively prevent the water guard 500 from detaching from the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640.

[0047] In one embodiment, the control unit may convert the signals received from the load cell modules 610, 620, 630, 640 into the weight of the current water bucket 200, and estimate the remaining amount of the water bucket 200 by comparing the weight of the current water bucket 200 with the weight of the water bucket 200 in the empty state. If the control unit determines that the remaining amount of the water bucket 200 is equal to or less than the set value, the control unit can generate an alternation signal for the water bucket 200.

[0048] In one embodiment, the water bucket replacement signal can be displayed on a display module provided on the outer surface of the main body 100. Alternatively, the water bucket replacement signal may be acoustically transmitted to the user by an acoustic module provided in the main body 100. Alternatively, the water bucket replacement signal may be transmitted outside the main body 100 by a communication module within the main body 100, and may be transmitted to, for example, a user terminal or a server that manages the replacement of the water bucket 200.

[0049] The cooling and heating water machine 10 according to one embodiment can efficiently and accurately detect the weight of the water bucket 200, and thereby can relatively accurately estimate the remaining amount of the water bucket 200. In addition, in the cooling and heating water machine 10 according to one embodiment, it is easy to install the weight detection unit 600 that can detect the weight of the water bucket 200, and the weight detection unit 600 can be stably held in its original position even against an external impact. In addition, the assembly process of the components including the water guard 500 becomes smooth.

[0050] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various technical modifications and variations can be applied based on the above by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field. For example, the described technology may be executed in a different order from the described method, and / or the components such as the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a different form from the described method, or may be replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and appropriate results can be achieved.

[0051] Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by equivalents such as those equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A cold and warm water dispenser comprising a water bucket, a main body including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and side surfaces between the first surface and the second surface, wherein a discharge port that communicates with the water bucket in fluid is disposed on at least one of the first surface or the side surfaces, a water guard accommodated in the main body on which the water bucket is placed, a weight detection unit attached to the water guard, and comprising, the weight detection unit detects the weight of the water bucket, and the remaining amount of water in the water bucket is estimated based on the weight information of the water bucket, the weight detection unit includes a load cell module, the load cell module, a load cell, an upper cover covering the upper part of the load cell, a lower cover covering the lower part of the load cell and coupled to the upper cover, and a pad attached to one surface of the lower cover, a cold and warm water dispenser.

2. further comprising a control unit accommodated in the main body and including at least one processor, the control unit estimates the remaining amount of the water bucket based on the weight information of the water bucket, the cold and warm water dispenser according to Claim 1.

3. the load cell module is configured in plurality, and the plurality of load cell modules are arranged to be spaced apart from each other at the edge of the water guard, the cold and warm water dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. further comprising a stem protruding from the second surface of the main body towards the first surface, the anti-slip pad is placed at the end of the stem, the cold and warm water dispenser according to Claim 1.

5. a placement groove for accommodating the upper cover is formed on the lower surface of the water guard facing the second surface of the main body, the water guard is supported by the load cell module through the placement groove, and the load cell module is supported by the stem, the cold and warm water dispenser according to Claim 4.

6. A cold and warm water dispenser comprising a water bucket, a main body provided with a discharge port that communicates with the water bucket in fluid on one surface, a weight detection unit disposed below the water bucket in the direction of gravity thereof to support the water bucket, and a control unit that receives a signal from the weight detection unit and estimates the remaining amount of the water bucket, and comprising, the weight detection unit includes a load cell module, the load cell module, a load cell, an upper cover covering the upper part of the load cell, a lower cover covering the lower part of the load cell and coupled to the upper cover, and a pad attached to one surface of the lower cover, a cold and warm water dispenser.

7. The control unit converts the signal received from the load cell module into the current weight of the water bucket, compares the current weight of the water bucket with the weight of the water bucket in the empty state, and estimates the remaining amount of water in the water bucket. The cooling and heating water machine according to claim 6.

8. If the control unit determines that the remaining amount of water in the water bucket is equal to or less than the set value, a water bucket replacement signal is generated. The water bucket replacement signal is transmitted to a display module or an acoustic module provided on the outer surface of the main body, or transmitted to the outside of the main body via a communication module. The cooling and heating water machine according to claim 6.

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