Water distribution device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water dispensing device (1) for dispensing at least cooled and filtered drinking water, comprising a hot water tank (10) including a filter (14) for filtering hot water, and a cold water tank (20). According to the present invention, the water distribution device (1) comprises a heat exchanger (30) having a first heat exchange duct (31) with a first inlet (32) and a first outlet (33), and a second heat exchange duct (34) with a second inlet (35) and a second outlet (36), the first inlet (32) being connected to a hot water tank discharge (13), the first outlet (33) being connected to a cold water tank supply (22), the second inlet (35) being connected to a fresh water duct, and the second outlet (36) being connected to a hot water tank supply (12), and supplies hot water from the hot water tank (10) to the cold water tank (20) via the first heat exchange duct (31), which can then be distributed as cooled and filtered drinking water.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a water dispensing device for at least dispensing chilled and filtered drinking water.

[0002] Various water dispensing devices are known that are designed to dispense chilled water, which may be carbonated. The chilled water has a temperature of, for example, 3°C to 12°C, e.g., 10°C. This chilled water is typically used as drinking water. It is desirable to filter such water by a filter that is placed in the water pipe between a connection to a fresh water source that delivers fresh water from the public water supply network and a dispensing point for dispensing the filtered and chilled water, e.g., a tap located in a kitchen.

[0003] The filters used in such water dispensing devices typically consist of activated carbon filters through which water is passed to filter it, and which also have a favorable effect on the taste of drinking water. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such activated carbon filters have the disadvantage that they are prone to bacterial growth when used with chilled water, which is generally undesirable. Therefore, the activated carbon filters must be replaced periodically, otherwise the quality of the filtered and chilled water will be significantly less than desired. This disadvantage of relatively rapid filter contamination can also occur with other filters used in water dispensing systems for dispensing chilled and filtered drinking water.

[0005] In addition to using activated carbon filters, ultraviolet filters, also known as UV filters or UV-C filters, are sometimes used. These filters are used to kill bacteria. However, in some cases, these filters can have additional drawbacks, such as a relatively long initial flow of warm water, which can be undesirable in some cases, such as with cooled drinking water.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a water dispensing device for dispensing at least cooled and filtered water, which is less susceptible to bacterial growth and other fouling of the filter, e.g., an activated carbon filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a water dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least chilled and filtered drinking water, comprising: a hot water tank designed to maintain hot water at a temperature of 65°C or higher, for example 95°C or higher, the hot water tank having a filter for filtering the hot water, a hot water tank supply unit for supplying fresh water into the hot water tank, and a hot water tank discharge unit for discharging hot water from the hot water tank, the filter being located within the hot water tank, the hot water tank discharge unit, or the hot water tank supply unit, and configured so that the hot water discharged by the hot water tank discharge unit is filtered by the filter; a chilled water tank designed to maintain chilled water at a temperature of 20°C or less, the chilled water tank having a chilled water tank supply for supplying water into the chilled water tank and a chilled water tank discharge for delivering chilled water from the chilled water tank; 1. A water distribution system comprising: a first heat exchange duct having a first inlet and a first outlet; a second heat exchange duct having a second inlet and a second outlet; a heat exchanger having the first heat exchange duct and the second heat exchange duct are designed to exchange heat with each other; the first inlet is connected to the hot water tank discharge, the first outlet is connected to the cold water tank supply, the second inlet is connected to a fresh water duct, and the second outlet is connected to the hot water tank supply; and providing a water dispensing apparatus in which the filtered hot water is supplied from the hot water tank to the cold water tank supply via the first heat exchange duct and then dispensed as cooled and filtered drinking water.

[0008] In the water dispensing device according to the invention, the filter for filtering the water for drinking is located in or adjacent to the hot water tank, which is designed to maintain hot water at a temperature of 65° C. or above, for example 95° C. or above. In one embodiment, the hot water tank is maintained at a temperature of 100° C. or above. The high temperature of the water, for example 65° C. or above, for example 95° C. or above, ensures that there is little or no bacterial growth in the filter.

[0009] As a result, the chilled water tank is supplied with only sterilized and filtered water, thus eliminating the need for a filter within the chilled water tank to deliver chilled and filtered drinking water.

[0010] In order for the filtered hot water to be used as cooled, filtered drinking water, it must be cooled to a temperature suitable for cooled water. To limit the energy loss during this cooling, the water distribution system of the present invention includes a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the filtered hot water to fresh water drawn from the fresh water source and used to fill the hot water tank. In this way, the amount of heat required to heat the fresh water to the desired temperature of the hot water tank, e.g., 100°C or above, is also significantly reduced.

[0011] In one embodiment, the filter is an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon filters can be used to filter water for drinking. However, activated carbon filters are susceptible to bacterial growth. Therefore, it is advantageous to install such an activated carbon filter in the hot water tank, where high temperatures of 65°C or higher result in little or no bacterial growth on the activated carbon filter.

[0012] In one embodiment, the water distribution device includes a hot water bypass duct connected in parallel to the first heat exchange duct to the hot water tank discharge and the cold water tank supply, and at least one hot water bypass valve selectively allowing hot water to flow through the first heat exchange duct or through the hot water bypass duct.

[0013] The hot water bypass duct is provided to route hot water to the cold water tank external to the heat exchanger, if desired.

[0014] The hot water bypass valve has at least a normal position and a bypass position. In the normal position, the hot water from the hot water tank discharge is routed through the first heat exchange duct to the cold water tank supply. In the bypass position, the hot water from the hot water tank discharge is routed through the hot water bypass duct to the cold water tank supply. The hot water bypass valve may also be comprised of two separate shut-off valves, one capable of shutting off the hot water bypass duct and the other capable of shutting off access to the first inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0015] During normal use of the water distribution system, the hot water bypass valve is in the closed position. At this time, the hot water flowing from the hot water tank to the cold water tank flows through the first heat exchange duct. By placing the hot water bypass valve in the bypass position, the hot water flows directly from the hot water tank to the cold water tank, i.e., without passing through the first heat exchange duct of the heat exchanger. At this time, this hot water can be used to kill any bacteria that may have developed in the cold water tank over time. For example, to kill bacteria in the cold water tank, it is desirable to wash the cold water tank with hot water once every predetermined period, for example, once every three or six months.

[0016] In one embodiment, the water distribution device includes a fresh water bypass duct connected to the fresh water duct and connected to the hot water tank supply in parallel with the second heat exchange duct, and at least one fresh water bypass valve selectively allowing fresh water to flow through the second heat exchange duct or through the fresh water bypass duct. Alternatively or in addition to the hot water bypass duct, a fresh water bypass duct can be provided connecting the fresh water duct to the hot water tank supply. The fresh water bypass duct can be used to route the fresh cold water to the hot water tank supply outside the second heat exchange duct. In this case, the fresh cold water does not flow through the heat exchanger. The hot water can then be used to wash the cold water tank without being cooled in the first heat exchange duct, thereby killing any bacteria that may have developed in the cold water tank over time. The first heat exchange duct can also be washed with the hot water.

[0017] The fresh water bypass valve has at least a normal position and a bypass position. In the normal position, the fresh cold water from the water supply network is sent to the hot water tank supply through the second heat exchange duct. In the bypass position, the fresh cold water coming from the water supply network is sent to the hot water tank supply through the fresh water bypass duct. The fresh water bypass valve may also consist of two separate shut-off valves, one shut-off valve capable of shutting off the fresh water bypass duct and the other shut-off valve capable of shutting off access to the second inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0018] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger. A plate heat exchanger is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat using a number of plates stacked on top of each other and having passages formed therein to form first and second heat exchange ducts. Such a plate heat exchanger can be effectively used to exchange heat. Using such a heat exchanger, a large portion of the heat from the hot water can be transferred to the fresh water.

[0019] In one embodiment, the water dispensing device includes a CO2 canister for supplying CO2, and the chilled water tank is designed to dissolve CO2 in the chilled water to dispense chilled, filtered, carbonated water. In some embodiments, it is desirable to deliver chilled, carbonated water from the chilled water tank. To this end, the water dispensing device may include a CO2 canister designed to supply CO2 that can be dissolved in the chilled water in the chilled water tank.

[0020] In one embodiment, the chilled water tank outlet is designed to deliver chilled water from the chilled water tank, and the chilled water tank includes a second chilled water tank outlet for delivering carbonated chilled water. According to this embodiment, the chilled water tank can be used to deliver both chilled water and carbonated chilled water. To this end, the chilled water tank has a first container for holding chilled water without dissolved carbonate and a second container for holding chilled carbonated water, and the CO2 canister is connected to the second container for dissolving CO2 in the chilled water.

[0021] In one embodiment, the hot water tank is designed to maintain hot water at a temperature of 100°C or greater.

[0022] In one embodiment, the hot water tank comprises a second hot water tank outlet for delivering hot or boiling water. The hot water tank can be used to deliver hot or boiling water.

[0023] In one embodiment, the filter is located within or adjacent to the hot water tank discharge to filter the hot water delivered by the hot water tank discharge. By locating the filter within or adjacent to the hot water tank discharge, the hot water is filtered right as it leaves the hot water tank. As a result, the hot water in the hot water tank will maintain the desired temperature, e.g., 95°C or higher, for the longest period of time and will not or will have little to no bacterial contamination of the filter.

[0024] In one embodiment, the filter is located within or adjacent to the hot water tank supply, such that the heated fresh water flowing through the filter is heated by the heat exchanger, for example to 80°C to 95°C, which also ensures that most, if not all, bacteria present in the fresh water is killed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the chilled water tank includes a chiller to maintain the chilled, filtered water at a desired temperature. The chiller may be any suitable device for maintaining the chilled water at the desired temperature.

[0026] The present invention also provides a method for dispensing chilled and filtered drinking water using a water dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the cold water tank through the first heat exchange duct, and supplying fresh water to the hot water tank through the second heat exchange duct; exchanging heat between the fresh water and the hot water in a heat exchanger to cool the hot water and warm the fresh water; further cooling the supplied hot water in the cold water tank to obtain cooled and filtered water at a desired temperature; pumping the cooled, filtered water from the chilled water tank.

[0027] In one embodiment of the method, the water distribution device has a hot water bypass duct connected to the hot water tank discharge and the cold water tank supply in parallel with the first heat exchange duct, and the method includes rinsing the cold water tank with hot water from the hot water tank supplied to the cold water tank via the hot water bypass duct.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, the water dispensing device includes a CO2 canister for supplying CO2, and the method includes dissolving CO2 in the chilled water in the chilled water tank to dispense chilled carbonated water.

[0029] The device according to the invention is a method for sterilizing a cold water tank of a water dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: Maintaining the hot water in the hot water tank at a temperature of 100°C or higher; shutting off the water supply to the hot water tank; delivering chilled water from the chilled water tank; This provides the possibility of a method in which hot water from the hot water tank washes the cold water tank, thereby sterilizing the cold water tank.

[0030] In one embodiment, the hot water in the hot water tank is maintained at a temperature of 100°C or above. Then, when water is released from the hot water tank while the hot water tank is isolated from the fresh water supply, the overpressure in the water dispensing apparatus is reduced, causing the superheated water in the hot water tank to instantly boil, and the steam thus formed drives the cooled water out of the cold water tank, whereupon the cold water tank is sterilized by the steam. This provides an effective method for sterilizing the water dispensing apparatus. For example, sterilizing a 3-liter cold water tank requires less than 1 liter of superheated water.

[0031] In this patent application, various types of water are described. These are as follows: Hot water: For example, water with a temperature of 95°C or above, 65°C or above, or 100°C or above, also known as boiling water. Hot water: Water with a temperature between 25℃ and 65℃. · Fresh water: Water delivered by water transmission ducts from a central water supply network or from another fresh water source. Chilled water: water cooled by the chilled water tank to a temperature below 20°C, for example below 12°C. Carbonated chilled water: chilled water with pressurized carbon dioxide gas dissolved in it. Filtered water: Water that has been filtered, e.g. chilled (carbonated) filtered water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a water distribution device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plate heat exchanger that can be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a water distribution device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] A water distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0034] 1 shows an embodiment of a water dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least cooled and filtered drinking water. The water dispensing apparatus is generally designated by the numeral 1. The water dispensing apparatus 1 includes a hot water tank 10, a cold water tank 20, a heat exchanger 30, and a faucet 40.

[0035] The hot water tank 10 is designed to maintain hot water at a temperature of, for example, 108°C. A temperature-controlled heating device 11 is disposed within the hot water tank 10 to heat the water in the hot water tank 10 to the desired temperature and maintain that temperature. The hot water tank 10 includes a hot water tank supply section 12 for supplying fresh water to the hot water tank 10 and a hot water tank discharge section 13 for discharging hot water from the hot water tank 10. A filter 14 is disposed within the hot water tank 10 adjacent to the beginning of the hot water tank discharge section 13, and this filter is used to filter the hot water discharged by the hot water tank discharge section 13. The filter 14 is an activated carbon filter designed to adsorb specific substances from the water using activated carbon. The filter 14 is disposed within the hot water tank 10 because the temperature of the hot water is relatively high. This high temperature prevents bacterial growth on the filter 14. It is particularly desirable for drinking water to be bacteria-free.

[0036] The hot water tank 10 includes a second hot water tank discharge 15 and a third hot water tank discharge 16. The first hot water tank discharge 13, the second hot water tank discharge 15, and the third hot water tank discharge 16 may be provided as three separate ducts from the hot water tank 10, or as a combined duct from the hot water tank 10 that is separated into separate discharges, as shown in FIG.

[0037] The second hot water tank outlet 15 is directly connected to the tap 40 for dispensing hot water. An operating button 41 is provided for dispensing the hot water. When the hot water leaves the hot water tank 10, it passes through the filter 14 and is therefore dispensed as filtered hot water suitable for drinking. The water pressure in the hot water tank 10 is above atmospheric pressure as a result of the water pressure from the water supply network K that supplies fresh water and because the water expands when heated by the heat generated by the heating device 11. Due to this overpressure, the hot water in the hot water tank 10, for example at 108°C, does not boil. When it leaves the tap 40, the pressure of the hot water drops to atmospheric pressure. As a result, the hot water boils when it leaves the tap. In this way, in this embodiment, the hot water is dispensed as boiling water.

[0038] The operating button 41 is designed to send an electrical signal that is used to control the valve. In an alternative embodiment, the operating button 41 may be designed to operate a mechanical valve.

[0039] The third hot water tank discharge 16 is connected to a mixer 17 which mixes hot water from the hot water tank 10 with fresh water from the water supply network K in a certain ratio to produce hot water. This hot water is then sent to a tap 40. The tap 40 is provided with a second mixer (not shown) which can be operated by an operating element 42. The second mixer is designed to mix fresh water with hot water by manually adjusting the operating element 42 to the desired ratio and to dispense the mixed water from the tap 40 in a temperature range between the temperature of the fresh water and the temperature of the hot water.

[0040] The chilled water tank 20 is designed to maintain chilled water at a temperature of 20° C. or less, for example 10° C. or less. A temperature-controlled cooling device 21 is disposed within the chilled water tank 20 for cooling the water in the chilled water tank 20 to a desired temperature and maintaining this temperature. The chilled water tank 20 includes a chilled water tank supply 22 for supplying water into the chilled water tank 20 and a chilled water tank discharge 23 for discharging the chilled water from the chilled water tank 20.

[0041] The water dispensing device 1 comprises a CO2 canister 24 for supplying pressurized CO2. The chilled water tank 20 is designed so that CO2 dissolves in the chilled water held in the chilled water tank 20. To dissolve CO2 in the chilled water, a pressure higher than the water pressure delivered by the water supply network K is usually required. The chilled water tank 20 may comprise a pump for forcing water into the chilled water tank 20 through the chilled water tank supply 22 against the higher pressure of the CO2 canister 24. The pump can then deliver a water pressure higher than the pressure applied to the chilled water tank 20 by the CO2 canister 24.

[0042] By dissolving CO2 in the chilled water, the chilled water can be dispensed as carbonated chilled water for drinking. The chilled water tank 20 includes a second chilled water tank outlet 25 that delivers carbonated chilled water. The chilled water tank outlet 23 and the second chilled water tank outlet 25 are connected to a faucet 40 having an operating button 41 that can activate the dispensing of chilled water. The chilled water tank 20 is designed to deliver carbonated chilled water or chilled water without dissolved CO2 from the CO2 canister 24, as desired, in response to operation of the operating button 41.

[0043] The cold water tank outlet 23 and / or the second cold water tank outlet 25 for dispensing chilled water or carbonated chilled water are provided with valves 27, 28, respectively, and an operating button 41 can be used to control these valves 27, 28.

[0044] One and the same dispensing duct 43 is used to dispense hot water and chilled water. The same operating button 41 is also used to dispense either boiled water or chilled water depending on the operation of the operating button 41. In one embodiment, one may choose to have separate operating buttons for boiled water and chilled water.

[0045] A valve 44 is provided in the distribution duct 43, which is in an open state when dispensing hot water from the hot water tank 10 or when dispensing chilled water from the cold water tank outlet 23, and is in a closed state when no water is dispensed through the distribution duct 43. This valve 44 can prevent bacteria from migrating from the tap 40 to the cold water tank outlet 23. Placing the valve 44 in the shared distribution duct 43 has the added advantage that when hot water is dispensed, the valve 44 and the part of the distribution duct 43 downstream from the valve 44 are washed with hot water, thereby killing any bacteria present in the distribution duct 43.

[0046] It is also conceivable that the valve 44 is located in a non-common part of the distribution duct of the cold water tank 20 .

[0047] Valve 44 may be any suitable valve that can be placed in an open or closed state, such as a solenoid valve, a actively actuated valve such as a check valve, a hydraulically actuated valve, or a manual valve.

[0048] In alternative embodiments, different distribution ducts and / or different operating buttons may be used to dispense hot water, chilled water, and / or chilled carbonated water. For example, multiple separate taps may be provided, such as a separate tap for mixed water, a separate tap for hot water, and a separate tap for chilled water.

[0049] The heat exchanger 30 is a plate heat exchanger. A cross section of the heat exchanger 30 is shown schematically in Figure 2. The heat exchanger 30 comprises a first heat exchange duct 31 having a first inlet 32 ​​and a first outlet 33, and a second heat exchange duct 34 having a second inlet 35 and a second outlet 36. The first heat exchange duct 31 and the second heat exchange duct 34 are designed to exchange heat with each other via a plate 37 arranged between the first heat exchange duct 31 and the second heat exchange duct 34.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the first inlet 32 ​​of the heat exchanger 30 is connected to the hot water tank discharge section 13, and the first outlet 33 is connected to the cold water tank supply section 22, thereby allowing hot water from the hot water tank 10 to be supplied into the cold water tank 20 via the heat exchanger 30.

[0051] The second inlet 35 of the heat exchanger 30 is connected to a fresh water supply network K capable of supplying fresh water. The second inlet 35 may also be connected to any other suitable source for supplying fresh water, such as, for example, a fresh water storage tank. The second outlet 36 is connected to the hot water tank supply 12.

[0052] The internal volume of the heat exchanger 30 may be small relative to the volume of the cold water tank 20. The internal volume of the heat exchanger 30 is, for example, 10% or less of the internal volume of the cold water tank 20, for example, 20% or less of the internal volume of the cold water tank 20.

[0053] When the distribution of chilled water is initiated by operating the operating button 41 of the tap 40, chilled water is distributed from the chilled water tank 20. As chilled water flows out of the chilled water tank 20, the water pressure in the chilled water tank 20 decreases. As a result, hot water flows from the hot water tank 10 through the first hot water tank discharge part 13 and the first heat exchange duct 31 of the heat exchanger 30 into the chilled water tank 20 to replace the distributed chilled water. At the same time, the hot water flowing out of the hot water tank 10 is replaced by fresh water flowing from the water supply network K through the second heat exchange duct 34 to the hot water tank supply part 12 of the hot water tank 10.

[0054] Thus, the chilled water dispensed from the cold water tank 20 comes from the hot water tank 10. As this water flows from the hot water tank 10 to the cold water tank 20, it passes through and is filtered by the filter 14. Thus, the chilled water dispensed from the tap 40 is filtered water suitable for drinking. Furthermore, it is advantageous to position the filter 14 within the hot water tank 10 so that there is little or no bacterial growth on the filter 14.

[0055] The counter-flow of fresh water and hot water through the heat exchanger 30 effectively transfers heat from the hot water in the first heat exchange duct 31 to the fresh water in the second heat exchange duct 34. This reduces the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchanger 30 and, conversely, increases the temperature of the fresh water. This means that less energy is needed in the hot water tank 10 to heat the fresh water to the desired temperature of 108°C, while only a limited amount of additional energy is needed in the cold water tank 20 to cool the hot water to the desired cold water temperature, e.g., 10°C, compared to direct cooling of the feed water.

[0056] In a plate heat exchanger such as that shown schematically in FIG. 2, for example, hot water can be cooled from about 108°C to about 22°C to 30°C, while fresh water can be heated from, for example, 15°C to, for example, 80°C to 95°C.

[0057] 1, a valve 26 is provided in the supply duct for fresh water, i.e. between the fresh water supply network K and the hot water tank 10. In the embodiment shown, the valve 26 is arranged in the duct from the water supply network K to the second inlet 35 of the heat exchanger 30. Alternatively, the valve 26 may be provided between the second outlet 36 of the heat exchanger 30 and the hot water tank supply 12 of the hot water tank 10.

[0058] Valve 26 can be placed in an open or closed state. During normal use of water dispensing device 1, valve 26 is placed in an open state, so that the water dispensed via tap 40 is supplemented with water from fresh water supply network K. The water pressure of fresh water supply network K is also used to dispense water, unless the water is carbonated water delivered from cold water tank 20. In particular, when dispensing carbonated water, a pump is used that delivers a water pressure higher than the pressure in the second container of cold water tank 20, exerted by CO2 canister 24.

[0059] For example, upon first use, to effectively sterilize the water dispensing device 1, valve 26 can be placed in a closed state, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank must be 100°C or higher. With valve 26 in this closed state and then valves 27 and / or 28 open, when cooled water is dispensed from the cold water tank 20, the pressure drop within the hot water tank 10 instantly boils the superheated water, and the steam thus formed can push the cooled water from the cold water tank 20 to the tap 40 via the cold water tank outlet 23 and / or the second cold water tank outlet 25 and associated ducts, such as the distribution duct. For example, the steam overpressure formed within a 108°C hot water tank is 0.3 bar, more than enough to expel the cooled water from the cold water tank. Once the cooled water is expelled, steam flows through the cold water tank 20 and associated ducts until the interior of the tank 20 and associated ducts is boiling hot, killing all bacteria. The inlet valve 26 can then be opened to refill the emptied cold water tank 20 with chilled water, after which the first valve 27 and / or the second valve 28 can be closed again. In this way, the amount of superheated water required to sterilize the water dispensing device 1 is relatively limited by the use of steam for sterilization: just under 1 liter of heated water is required to sterilize a cold water tank with a capacity of 2 liters.

[0060] Once the water distribution device 1 has been sterilized in this way, all the water in the cold water tank 20 comes from the hot water tank 10. If the temperature in the hot water tank 10 is above 100°C, this water is sterile and no new bacteria can enter the cold water tank 20.

[0061] It can also be clearly seen that there is no or very little contamination from the tap. As already mentioned, a valve 44 may be arranged in the distribution duct 43 to further limit the risk of contamination.

[0062] It can be clearly seen that sterile chilled or hot water can be dispensed for extended periods of time using the water dispensing device 1. If desired, the water dispensing device 1 may be sterilized periodically, for example, once every three or six months, or after a period when the water dispensing device is not in use.

[0063] Figure 3 shows a water dispensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, where elements with the same reference numerals have the same function and will not be described separately here.

[0064] In this embodiment, water from the first heat exchanger discharge 33 is used to dispense the mixed water, and this water is sent to the mixer 17 via a duct 29 branching off from the cold water tank discharge 22 and / or directly to a second mixer in the tap 40.

[0065] In this embodiment, a filter 14 is disposed in the hot water tank discharge section 13.

[0066] The water distribution device 1 of Figure 3 comprises a hot water bypass duct 50, in parallel with the first heat exchange duct 31, connected to the hot water tank discharge 13 and the cold water tank supply 22, and a fresh water bypass duct 52, in parallel with the second heat exchange duct 32, connected at one end to the water supply network K and at the other end to the hot water tank supply 12. By opening one or both of these bypass ducts, the cold water tank and its supply and discharge ducts can be sterilized with hot water from the hot water tank.

[0067] A pair of hot water bypass valves 51 are arranged in the hot water bypass duct 50 and the first heat exchange duct 31. These hot water bypass valves 51 are placed in at least a normal position and a bypass position. In the normal position, as described above, hot water from the hot water tank discharge 13 is sent to the cold water tank supply 22 through the first heat exchange duct 31. In the bypass position, hot water arriving from the hot water tank discharge 13 is sent to the cold water tank supply 22 via the hot water bypass duct 50. With the hot water bypass valve 51 in this position, the hot water flows directly from the hot water tank 10 to the cold water tank 20, i.e., via the hot water bypass duct 50 instead of through the first heat exchange duct 31 of the heat exchanger 30. In this case, the hot water is not cooled in the heat exchanger 30 and flows into the cold water tank 20 at a high temperature, for example, above 95°C. This hot water can be used in the cold water tank 20 to kill any bacteria that may have developed in the cold water tank 20 over time.

[0068] Additionally or alternatively, the fresh water bypass duct 52 may be used to sterilize the cold water tank and its supply and discharge ducts with hot water. A set of fresh water bypass valves 53 may be provided in the fresh water bypass duct 52 and the second heat exchange duct 32 to selectively allow fresh water to flow through either the second heat exchange duct 32 or the fresh water bypass duct 52.

[0069] For this purpose, these fresh water bypass valves 53 may be placed in a normal position and in a bypass position. In the normal position, as described above, fresh water coming from the water supply network K is sent to the hot water tank supply 12 via the second heat exchange duct 32. In the bypass position, fresh water coming from the water supply network K is sent to the hot water tank supply 12 through the fresh water bypass duct 52.

[0070] The fresh water bypass duct 52 can be used to supply fresh cold water to the hot water tank supply 12 outside the second heat exchange duct 32. In this case, no fresh cold water flows through the heat exchanger 30. In this way, when the hot water bypass valve 51 is in its normal position, the hot water is not actively cooled in the first heat exchange duct 31 and can be used as hot water, allowing the cold water tank 20 to be washed with hot water to kill any bacteria that may have developed in the cold water tank 20 or in the first heat exchange duct 31 over time.

[0071] The hot water bypass duct 50 and the fresh water bypass duct 52 may be provided either alternatively or in combination.

Claims

1. 1. A water dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least chilled and filtered drinking water, comprising: a hot water tank designed to maintain hot water at a temperature above 100°C, the hot water tank having a filter for filtering the hot water, a hot water tank supply unit for supplying fresh water into the hot water tank, and a hot water tank discharge unit for discharging the hot water from the hot water tank, the filter being disposed within the hot water tank and configured so that the hot water discharged by the hot water tank discharge unit is filtered by the filter; and the hot water tank further comprising a second hot water tank discharge unit for delivering boiling water; 1. A water dispensing system comprising: a chilled water tank designed to maintain chilled water at a temperature of 20°C or less, the chilled water tank having a chilled water tank supply for supplying water into the chilled water tank; and a chilled water tank discharge for delivering chilled water from the chilled water tank, a heat exchanger having a first heat exchange duct having a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second heat exchange duct having a second inlet and a second outlet; the first heat exchange duct and the second heat exchange duct are designed to exchange heat with each other; the first inlet is connected to the hot water tank discharge, the first outlet is connected to the cold water tank supply, the second inlet is connected to a fresh water duct, and the second outlet is connected to the hot water tank supply; A water distribution system in which the hot water is supplied from the hot water tank through the first heat exchange duct to the cold water tank, where it is then cooled, filtered and distributed as drinking water.

2. 10. The water dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the filter is an activated carbon filter.

3. 3. The water distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shut-off valve for shutting off the water supply from the fresh water duct to the hot water tank.

4. The water distribution device comprises: a hot water bypass duct connected to the hot water tank discharge part and the cold water tank supply part in parallel with the first heat exchange duct; and at least one hot water bypass valve selectively allowing hot water to flow through the first heat exchange duct or through the hot water bypass duct.

5. The water distribution device comprises: a fresh water bypass duct connected to the fresh water duct and connected to the hot water tank supply in parallel with the second heat exchange duct; and at least one fresh water bypass valve selectively allowing fresh water to flow through the second heat exchange duct or through the fresh water bypass duct.

6. The water distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.

7. The water distribution device ２ CO to supply ２ canister, and the chilled water tank is configured to add CO to the chilled water to dispense carbonated chilled filtered water. ２ 7. A water dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, designed to dissolve:

8. 8. The water dispensing device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the chilled water tank outlet is designed to deliver chilled and filtered water from the chilled water tank, and the chilled water tank comprises a second chilled water tank outlet for delivering carbonated chilled and filtered water.

9. 9. The water distribution device of claim 1, wherein the filter is positioned within or adjacent to the hot water tank discharge section, or within or adjacent to the hot water tank supply section, to filter the hot water delivered by the hot water tank discharge section.

10. A water dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the chilled water tank includes a chiller for bringing the chilled filtered water to a desired temperature and maintaining it thereat.

11. A method of dispensing chilled filtered drinking water using a water dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of: supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the cold water tank through the first heat exchange duct, and supplying fresh water into the hot water tank through the second heat exchange duct; heat exchange between the fresh water and the hot water in a heat exchanger to cool the hot water and warm the fresh water; Further cooling the supplied hot water in the cold water tank to obtain cooled and filtered water at a desired temperature; pumping the cooled, filtered water from the chilled water tank.

12. the water distribution device is connected to a water supply network and has a fresh water bypass duct connected to the hot water tank supply in parallel with the second heat exchange duct; 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method includes rinsing the cold water tank with hot water from the hot water tank, which is supplied to the cold water tank via the fresh water bypass duct, the hot water tank, and the first heat exchange duct.

13. the water distribution device has a hot water bypass duct connected to the hot water tank discharge part and the cold water tank supply part in parallel with the first heat exchange duct; 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method includes rinsing the cold water tank supply with hot water from the hot water tank, which is supplied to the cold water tank through the hot water bypass duct.

14. The water distribution device ２ CO to supply ２ canister, and the method further comprises adding CO to the chilled water in the second container of the chilled water tank to dispense carbonated chilled water. ２ 12. The method of claim 11, comprising dissolving

Images