UV LED assembly and water purifier equipped with it

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water purifier, specifically to a technology for installing a UV LED lamp in the water purifier to irradiate the water with ultraviolet light in order to kill harmful bacteria that may be present in the water stored in the water purifier. [Background technology]

[0002] Previously, there were water purifiers that used UV LEDs to purify the water stored in them.

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

[0004] However, the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) installed in the water of the temporary water storage tank (120) and the main water storage tank (130) have had the problem of frequent breakdowns due to moisture intrusion, abnormal surge currents, etc.

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

[0006] Therefore, in the past, when the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134) broke down, it was often necessary to replace the entire water tank containing the UV LED sterilization units (124, 134), which resulted in an increase in the maintenance costs of the water purifier. Summary of the Invention Problem to be solved

[0007] To solve the problems of the conventional technology, the present invention makes it possible to very easily replace the "UV LED subassembly" equipped with the UV LED lamp, which frequently breaks down, from outside the water tank without disassembling or opening the water tank.

[0008] As a result, if a water purifier user or manager notices a lamp or other indicator that indicates a malfunction in the "UV LED subassembly" equipped with a UV LED lamp while using the water purifier, they can simply turn and open the stop nut on the outside of the water purifier reservoir, remove the malfunctioning UV LED subassembly, insert a new UV LED subassembly, and then turn and tighten the stop nut again to complete the replacement.

[0009] Because the UV LED subassembly can be replaced in such a simple manner, the maintenance time of the water purifier to which the present invention is applied can be reduced, and the disposal of the water purifier itself due to the malfunction of the sterilization device due to the difficulty of maintenance does not occur, which ultimately extends the life of the water purifier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the UV LED assembly for sterilizing the inside of a water purifier tank and the water purifier equipped with the same according to the present invention are as follows.

[0011] A through hole (52) is opened in one side wall of the water tank (51) so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the water tank; a body pipe (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to span the inside and outside of the water tank (51); The end of the body pipe (1) inside the water tank can be sealed, The main body (6-1) of the UV LED subassembly (41) is inserted and fitted into the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1) from the outside of the water tank, It is characterized by including a stop nut (10) that is threadedly connected to one side of the end of the body pipe (1) located on the outside of the water tank and secures the UV LED subassembly (41) in the hollow portion (100).

[0012] The shape of the body pipe (1) is such that a circumferential groove is formed along the outer periphery of the body pipe (1) at a position spaced a certain distance from one end of the body pipe (1). A body tube dividing plate (32) of a certain thickness is provided vertically and integrally with the body tube (1),

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

[0014] Meanwhile, after inserting a body pipe gasket (8) into the first side spiral pipe (33) of the body pipe (1), the end of the first side spiral pipe (33) is inserted into a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water tank (51) from the inside of the water tank (51), and the body pipe stop nut (9) on the outside of the water tank (51) is tightly connected to the first side spiral pipe (33).

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

[0016] The quartz glass (2) with the glass packing (3) fitted on its outer periphery is brought into close contact with the hollow portion of the glass stop nut (4) to seal the hollow portion, and then the glass stop nut (4) is tightly connected to the second side spiral tube (34).

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

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

[0019] In addition, an O-ring (13) is further disposed in front of the UV LED sub-assembly (41) to closely seat the UV LED sub-assembly (41) in the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1).

[0020] Furthermore, a UV LED lamp (5-1) is attached to the front end of the PCB assembly (5), and the ultraviolet light projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) passes through the transparent quartz glass (2) to sterilize bacteria that may be present in the water inside the water tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] This invention makes it possible to very easily replace the "UV LED subassembly" equipped with the UV LED lamp, which frequently breaks down, from outside the water tank without disassembling or opening the water tank.

[0022] Therefore, the maintenance time can be significantly reduced, and the need to discard the water purifier itself due to the difficulty of maintenance due to a malfunction of the sterilization device does not occur, resulting in an extension of the life of the water purifier.

[0023] In addition, the UV LED assembly of the present invention can be applied with a number of O-rings and gaskets to prevent the ingress of water and moisture and minimize the failure of the UV LED lamp. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1a] FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the UV LED assembly of the present invention separated from the water reservoir. [Figure 1b] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a UV LED assembly of the present invention separated from a water reservoir. [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which the UV LED assembly of the present invention is assembled in a water tank. [Figure 2b] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the UV LED assembly of the present invention separated from the water tank and assembled alone. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the body pipe cut in the axial direction. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are a front view, a cross-sectional view, and a perspective view of a glass packing. [Figure 6a] Front view of the UV LED lamp mounted on the front edge of the PCB assembly. [Figure 6b] Cross section of the UV LED lamp mounted at the front end of the PCB assembly. [Figure 7] A front view of the front end of the PCB assembly from inside the water reservoir, with the UV LED lamp mounted on the front end of the PCB assembly and attached to the water reservoir. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a side view of a structure in which the UV LED assembly of the present invention is mounted in a water tank. [Figure 9] Schematic showing replacement of the UV LED subassembly. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a prior art of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As shown in Figures 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b, the present invention provides: a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water tank (51) so as to connect the inside and outside of the water tank; a body pipe (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to span the inside and outside of the water tank (51); The end of the body pipe (1) inside the water tank can be sealed, The main body (6-1) of the UV LED subassembly (41) is inserted and fitted into the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1) from the outside of the water tank, The UV LED assembly for sterilizing the inside of a water purifier tank includes a stop nut (10) that is threadedly coupled to one side of the end of the body pipe (1) disposed outside the water tank and secures the UV LED subassembly (41) in the hollow portion (100).

[0026] Specifically, the end of the body pipe (1) inside the water tank is sealed with packing, O-rings, nuts, quartz glass, etc., minimizing the intrusion of water into the body pipe and achieving waterproofing.

[0027] Next, the definition of "UV LED subassembly (41)" and its organic configuration will be explained with reference to Figures 1b and 9.

[0028] The "UV LED subassembly (41)" is composed of a stop nut packing (11), a PCB stop nut (7), a PCB assembly (5), and a PCB holder (6).

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

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

[0031] The PCB stop nut (7), PCB assembly (5), and PCB holder (6) are integrated with urethane to prevent disassembly, and this is defined as the "main body (6-1) of the UV LED subassembly (41)" (see Figure 9).

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

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

[0034] Meanwhile, if the UV LED lamp (5-1) attached to the front end of the PCB assembly (5) of the water purifier breaks down, the water purifier manager or user can manually open the stop nut (10), remove the broken UV LED subassembly (41) behind the stop nut (10), and then install a new UV LED subassembly (41) in its place. Then, manually turn the stop nut (10) to connect it to the first spiral tube (33), thereby completing the replacement and maintenance of the UV LED assembly for sterilization inside the water tank.

[0035] Next, the shape of the body pipe 1 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 will be described.

[0036] The body pipe is installed to penetrate one side wall of the water tank and to communicate the inside and outside of the water tank.

[0037] The shape of the body pipe (1) is such that a body pipe dividing plate (32) having a constant thickness along the outer periphery of the body pipe (1) is provided at a position a certain distance from one end of the body pipe (1) and is vertically and integrally formed with the body pipe (1).

[0038] The body pipe dividing plate (32) must be designed so that when the body pipe (1) is inserted and fixed to the wall of the water tank, the body pipe dividing plate (32) does not pass through the through hole (52) formed in the wall of the water tank, so the diameter of the body pipe dividing plate (32) must be larger than the through hole (52) by a certain amount.

[0039] In addition, based on a body pipe dividing plate (32) fixed to the body pipe (1), a first side spiral pipe (33) and a second side spiral pipe (34) are formed on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the body pipe (1), respectively.

[0040] Next, the structure in which the body pipe (1) is fixed to one side wall of the water tank will be described with reference to Figs.

[0041] After inserting the body pipe gasket (8) into the first side spiral pipe (33) of the body pipe (1), insert the end of the first side spiral pipe (33) into the through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water tank (51) from the inside of the water tank (51), and turn the body pipe stop nut (9) on the outside of the water tank (51) to tightly connect it to the first side spiral pipe (33).

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

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

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

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

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, ultraviolet light projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) passes through the transparent quartz glass (2) and sterilizes the water stored in the water tank.

[0047] Therefore, the quartz glass (2) product must be transparent and free of foreign matter, and must be free of scratches. The quartz glass (2) must also have an ultraviolet transmittance of 90% or more.

[0048] Next, the definition of the "UV LED subassembly (41)" and its organic configuration will be explained with reference to Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7.

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

[0050] The PCB stop nut (7), PCB assembly (5), and PCB holder (6) are integrated with urethane to prevent disassembly, and this is defined as the "main body (6-1) of the UV LED subassembly (41)" (see Figure 9).

[0051] Meanwhile, in order to closely seat the UV LED subassembly (41) in the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1), an O-ring (13) may be further disposed in front of the UV LED subassembly (41) to improve the sealing of the UV LED assembly.

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

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, a UV LED lamp (5-1) is attached to the front end of the PCB assembly (5), and the ultraviolet light projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) passes through the transparent quartz glass (2) to sterilize bacteria that may be present in the water inside the water tank.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water tank (51) so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the water tank; a body pipe (1) inserted into the through hole (52) and installed so as to span the inside and outside of the water tank (51); The end of the body pipe (1) inside the water tank can be sealed, The main body (6-1) of the UV LED subassembly (41) integrated with urethane is inserted into the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1) from the outside of the water tank and fitted, A stop nut (10) is screwed onto one side of the end of the body pipe (1) disposed on the outside of the water tank, and secures the UV LED subassembly (41) in the hollow portion (100); The UV LED subassembly (41) is configured by combining a stop nut packing (11), a PCB stop nut (7), a PCB assembly (5), and a PCB holder (6); The PCB stop nut (7) and PCB assembly (5) are inserted into and joined to the hollow part of the PCB holder (6) which is integrated with urethane so that they do not come apart, and a stop nut packing (11) is attached to the bottom of the PCB stop nut (7).

2. The shape of the body pipe (1) is such that a body pipe dividing plate (32) of a certain thickness is provided along the outer periphery of the body pipe (1) at a position spaced a certain distance from one end of the body pipe (1) and is vertically and integrally provided with the body pipe (1), 2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein a first spiral tube (33) and a second spiral tube (34) are formed on one and the other axial sides of the body tube (1) based on a body tube dividing plate (32) fixed to the body tube (1).

3. 3. The water purifier according to claim 2, wherein a body pipe packing (8) is inserted into the first spiral pipe (33) of the body pipe (1), and then an end of the first spiral pipe (33) is inserted into a through hole (52) formed in one side wall of the water tank (51) from inside the water tank (51), and a body pipe stop nut (9) on the outside of the water tank (51) is tightly coupled to the first spiral pipe (33).

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

4. The water purifier according to claim 3, wherein the quartz glass (2) with the glass packing (3) fitted on its outer periphery is tightly fitted into the hollow portion of the glass stop nut (4) to seal the hollow portion, and then the glass stop nut (4) is tightly fitted to the second spiral tube (34).

5. The water purifier according to claim 4, further comprising an O-ring (13) disposed in front of the UV LED subassembly (41) to closely seat the UV LED subassembly (41) in the hollow portion (100) of the body pipe (1).

6. The water purifier according to claim 5, wherein a UV LED lamp (5-1) is attached to the front end of the PCB assembly (5), and ultraviolet light projected from the UV LED lamp (5-1) passes through the transparent quartz glass (2) to sterilize bacteria that may be present in the water inside the water tank.

Images