Chilled water tank assembly

Abstract

To provide a cold water tank assembly which increases the time and area of contact between an evaporator and purified water to increase cooling efficiency relative to capacity and maximize the amount of cold water extracted.SOLUTION: A cold water tank assembly includes: a cold water tank forming a storage space therein; a partition wall part dividing the storage space of the cold water tank into a plurality of adjacent heat exchange flow passage areas; and an evaporator which includes a main line that is drawn into the storage space and arranged to pass through the heat exchange flow passage areas in sequence and a connecting line having a folded end part, and through which a refrigerant flows. The partition wall part has an open passage through which a connecting line and purified water pass while communicating adjacent heat exchange passage areas, and purified water at room temperature flowing into a first heat exchange flow passage area forms at least one upward flow and passes through the Nth heat exchange flow passage area to be extracted as purified water at low temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cold water tank assembly. More specifically, it relates to a cold water tank assembly that can increase the contact time and area between the evaporator and purified water in a limited space while miniaturizing, improve the capacity-to-ratio cooling efficiency, and maximize the cold water extraction volume.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, water purifiers, carbonated water machines, cold and warm water machines, etc. are equipped with a cold water tank so that normal-temperature purified water can be cooled to generate low-temperature purified water (water) and supplied to users.

[0003] Taking a water purifier as an example, such a cold water tank includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe communicating with the internal space, and normal-temperature purified water filtered through one or more filters flows in and is stored in the internal space.

[0004] Then, the normal-temperature purified water (water) stored through the evaporator (cooling pipe) provided in the cold water tank is cooled to a set temperature and extracted as low-temperature purified water (water) so that users can drink or use purified water (water) at a temperature lower than normal temperature.

[0005] As an example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0062080 discloses a structure for cooling purified water stored by providing an evaporator in the internal space of a cold water tank.

[0006] Such a cold water tank has a rectangular shape, and an internal accommodation space for containing fluid is partitioned into a plurality of areas using a plurality of lateral partitions. The evaporator is arranged to pass through each area, and the purified water flowing in from the upper part is configured to be cooled to low-temperature purified water (cold water) by the evaporator while passing through each area and then discharged.

[0007] However, in a chilled water tank with this configuration, the partitions are arranged alternately horizontally within the storage space, and the purified water flows from top to bottom. This results in insufficient contact time between the ambient temperature purified water and the evaporator, leading to problems with reduced cooling efficiency and chilled water extraction volume.

[0008] In other words, in a structure where the incoming ambient-temperature purified water flows downward due to its own weight, is cooled as it comes into contact with the evaporator in the flow path area, and is extracted as low-temperature purified water, it is difficult to reduce the size of the chilled water tank within the limited space of the water purifier relative to its capacity due to the partitions installed only in the lateral direction. In this structure, there was a problem that the purified water was extracted to the outside without sufficient contact time and contact area between the purified water and the evaporator due to the flow of purified water that flows only downward.

[0009] While current water purifiers are striving for miniaturization, these conventional cold water tanks have poor cold water efficiency (the value obtained by dividing the amount of cold water extracted by the tank capacity), making it difficult for users to obtain purified water (cold water) at the desired temperature, resulting in decreased user satisfaction.

[0010] Therefore, when constructing a chilled water tank in a water purifier or similar device, there is a need for a chilled water tank assembly that can be made smaller while increasing space efficiency, and that can maximize the amount of chilled water dispensed while increasing the contact time and area between the evaporator and the purified water in a limited space, thereby improving the cooling efficiency relative to the volume. There is a pressing need to develop a chilled water tank assembly that not only optimally performs the original function of a chilled water tank but also increases user satisfaction. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2023-0062080 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a chilled water tank assembly that can increase the contact time and area between the evaporator and purified water in a limited space while being miniaturized, thereby improving the cooling efficiency relative to its capacity and maximizing the amount of chilled water extracted.

[0013] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a chilled water tank assembly that can increase the contact time and contact area between the evaporator and the purified water, while the purified water at room temperature flowing into the storage space of the chilled water tank has at least one upward flow of purified water (water).

[0014] The problems addressed by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those ordinary articulate in the field to which the present invention pertains from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a chilled water tank assembly is provided.

[0016] The chilled water tank assembly includes a chilled water tank having a length in a first direction and comprising an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe through which purified water flows, forming a storage space inside, a chilled water tank having a length in a first direction, a partition wall portion having a length in a first direction and comprising a plate shape having an XZ plane and partitioning the storage space in a second direction, and a partition wall portion having a length in a first direction and partitioning the storage space into a plurality of adjacent heat exchange flow path areas in a second or third direction, and a main line having a length in a first direction and being drawn out to the outside while sequentially passing through the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas, but arranged to pass through the heat exchange flow path areas in a first direction, and a connecting line having the ends of the main lines bent so that adjacent main lines are connected.

[0017] At this time, an opening passage through which the connecting line and the purified water pass is formed in the partition portion while communicating the adjacent heat exchange channel regions.

[0018] Then, the purified water at room temperature flowing into the first heat exchange channel region passes through the Nth heat exchange channel region while forming a flow in the third direction that rises at least once or more, and is extracted as purified water at low temperature.

[0019] At this time, the first partition and the second partition can intersect so as to be orthogonal to each other to form a lattice structure.

[0020] At this time, the main line can be arranged so as to pass on the center line along the first direction of the heat exchange channel region.

[0021] At this time, the edge of the partition portion can be arranged by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space of the cold water tank.

[0022] Then, if necessary, the cold water tank can include a coupling groove on the inner peripheral surface into which the edge of the partition portion is press-fitted.

[0023] Then, the cold water tank can have a cross-sectional shape of a closed surface having a short axis in the second direction and a long axis in the third direction orthogonal to the second direction.

[0024] At this time, the cold water tank assembly can further include a heat insulation case that forms a space between the outer peripheral surface of the cold water tank and wraps the cold water tank.

[0025] On the other hand, the space therebetween can form a vacuum-insulated space or can be filled with a heat insulating material.

[0026] Then, the cold water tank can include a first body portion having a housing shape with a first opening, and a second body portion having a housing shape with a second opening corresponding to be in contact with the first opening, and being coupled to be sealed with the first body portion.

[0027] On the one hand, if necessary, a part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall may be integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first body portion, and a part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall may be integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second body portion.

[0028] And the cold water tank may further include a water level sensor for measuring the purified water level in the heat exchange flow path area formed at the uppermost part in the third direction in the accommodation space, and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of any one of the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas.

[0029] At this time, the temperature sensor may be disposed in the first heat exchange flow path area communicating with the water inlet pipe.

[0030] And the cold water tank may further include an overflow pipe communicating with the heat exchange flow path area formed at the uppermost part in the third direction in the accommodation space.

[0031] And the flow of the refrigerant in the evaporator and the flow of the purified water passing through the heat exchange flow path area may be formed to have flows in opposite directions to each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0032] With the above configuration, the cold water tank assembly according to the present invention divides the accommodation space inside the cold water tank into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas by using the first partition wall in the XZ plane and the second partition wall in the XY plane, and forms the maximum heat exchange flow path areas in a limited space, thereby having the effect of increasing the contact area between the purified water and the evaporator.

[0033] Further, the plurality of partition walls including the first partition wall in the XZ plane and the second partition wall in the XY plane have a length in the first direction in the accommodation space, divide the accommodation space into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas adjacent in the second direction or the third direction, and have a flow in which the purified water rises at least once or more, so as to maximize the contact time between the purified water and the evaporator, improve the capacity-to-ratio cooling efficiency, and have the effect of maximizing the cold water extraction amount.

[0034] Furthermore, the flow of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator and is extracted, and the flow of purified water that flows into the heat exchange channel and is extracted, have opposite flows. As a result, the purified water that passes through the final heat exchange channel and is extracted can be extracted at a lower temperature than the low temperature of the purified water that is extracted after heat exchange with the ice formed in the evaporator by the refrigerant.

[0035] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, but should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the configuration of the invention as described in the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a cross-section of the chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, with respect to the inlet pipe, at line I-I'. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, with respect to the outlet pipe, at line II-II'. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the structure of a chilled water tank assembly, including an insulating case, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the chilled water tank assembly at line III-III' according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement relationship between the partition wall and the evaporator applied to a chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a chilled water tank assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the partition wall and evaporator arranged within the containment space of the chilled water tank assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention can be realized in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description have been omitted from the drawings, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0038] The words and terms used herein and in the claims are not to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may define terms and concepts in order to best describe their invention.

[0039] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings constitute a preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention; thus, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for these configurations at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0040] In this specification, terms such as “includes” or “have” are intended to describe the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0041] To say that one component is "in front of," "behind," "above," or "below" another component includes, unless otherwise specified, not only cases where it is directly in contact with another component and positioned "in front of," "behind," "above," or "below," but also cases where another component is positioned in between. Furthermore, to say that one component is "connected" to another component includes, unless otherwise specified, cases where it is directly connected to one another, as well as cases where it is indirectly connected to one another.

[0042] The terms "X-axis," "Y-axis," and "Z-axis" used in this explanation should be understood by referring to the coordinate system shown in the diagram. While the X-axis direction is referred to as the first direction, the Y-axis direction as the second direction, and the Z-axis direction as the third direction in this explanation, this is merely an example from a relative perspective. The first through third directions and the coordinate axes (X, Y, and Z axes) are introduced solely to describe the relative positions between components and do not limit the absolute position of each component. Furthermore, it should be explicitly stated that N or n, as explained later, refers to a constant of 1 or greater.

[0043] In describing the present invention, specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to avoid obscuring the gist of the invention.

[0044] In the following, a chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0045] First, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, the chilled water tank assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention reduces the size of the chilled water tank 100 while increasing the contact time and contact area between the evaporator 300 and the incoming purified water, thereby improving the cooling efficiency relative to the capacity and maximizing the amount of chilled water extracted. Thus, the chilled water tank assembly 1 is presented that can optimally perform the original function of the chilled water tank.

[0046] For this purpose, a chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a chilled water tank 100 having a large internal storage space S, a partition wall 200 that divides the internal storage space S of the chilled water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A having a length (or longitudinal side) in a first direction and adjacent in a second or third direction, and an evaporator 300 that is arranged in the internal storage space S of the chilled water tank 100 with a set length and direction so as to sequentially pass through the plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A divided by the partition wall 200.

[0047] First, the chilled water tank 100, which constitutes the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, is cylindrical in shape and has a length in a first direction, with a storage space S inside. The chilled water tank 100 includes an inlet pipe 130 through which purified water at room temperature flows into the storage space S, and an outlet pipe 140 through which low-temperature purified water (chilled water) flows to the outside.

[0048] In this case, as an example, the chilled water tank 100 may be configured to be divided into a first body section 110 equipped with an inlet pipe 130 and a second body section 120 equipped with an outlet pipe 140, and the first body section 110 and the second body section 120 may be connected in such a way that the internal storage space S is sealed.

[0049] In this case, it goes without saying that the inlet pipe 130 and the outlet pipe 140 can be provided on the same body side depending on the area arrangement of the heat exchange flow path area H / A described later.

[0050] Furthermore, if necessary, such a chilled water tank 100 may have a housing shape that forms a storage space S, and may include a body portion having an open inlet and a cap portion that is connected to seal and cover the body portion, and is not necessarily limited to the connection of a first body portion 110 and a second body portion 120 as shown in the figure.

[0051] However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of a chilled water tank 100 will be described as an example, in which a first body portion 110 having a housing shape with a first opening and a second body portion 120 having the same shape as the first body portion 110 and corresponding two openings that are in contact with the first opening are joined together so as to be sealed while facing each other.

[0052] On the other hand, the chilled water tank 100 may, if necessary, include a temperature sensor 150, a water level sensor 160, and an overflow pipe 170 on one side.

[0053] More specifically, the first body portion 110 applied to the chilled water tank 100 constituting the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is cylindrical (housing) in shape having a first opening that opens on one side in the first direction, and an inlet pipe 130 is provided on the part opposite to the first opening. The evaporator 300 is arranged to be drawn into and then pulled out of the internal housing space, and such an evaporator 300 can be divided into an inlet line 300a side and an outlet line 300b side.

[0054] The second body portion 120 is cylindrical (housing) in shape and has a second opening that opens on the other side in the first direction, opposite to that of the first body portion 110. The portion opposite to the second opening is equipped with a water outlet pipe 140, a temperature sensor 150, a water level sensor 160, and an overflow pipe 170.

[0055] On the other hand, the first body portion 110 and the second body portion 120 are joined in a manner such that the first opening and the second opening are in contact with each other, forming a single internal storage space S and being sealed.

[0056] For this purpose, the first body portion 110 and the second body portion 120 have a structure in which they are sealed by being tightened by a clamp 180 (Figure 1), and it goes without saying that the clamp 180 includes a sealing member to enhance watertightness and airtightness.

[0057] Since a variety of ordinary structures can be applied to the clamp 180 that tightly connects the first body portion 110 and the second body portion 120 in a sealed manner, a specific explanation will be omitted in order not to obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0058] Thus, the chilled water tank 100, which is composed of a first body portion 110 and a second body portion 120, has a housing shape with a sealed storage space S, and can have a closed cross-sectional shape with a short axis in the second direction and a long axis in the third direction perpendicular to the second direction.

[0059] If necessary, the chilled water tank 100 may have an oval, rectangular, or other shape.

[0060] Next, referring again to Figures 1 to 7, the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a partition wall 200 that divides the internal storage space S of the chilled water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A.

[0061] In this case, the partition wall section 200 is composed of a first partition wall 210 and a second partition wall 220.

[0062] In this case, the first partition wall 210 is plate-shaped with an XZ plane, partitions the accommodation space S in a second direction, and may be composed of at least one plate.

[0063] Furthermore, the second partition wall 220 is plate-shaped with an XY plane, partitions the accommodation space S in a third direction, and may be composed of at least one plate.

[0064] The first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 divide the storage space S of the chilled water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow channel areas H / A that have a length in the first direction and are adjacent in the second or third direction.

[0065] The partition wall section 200 has a connecting line 320 for the evaporator 300 (described later) and an opening passage u1 through which the incoming purified water passes, while connecting the adjacent heat exchange flow channel sections H / A.

[0066] Such an opening passage u1 may be shaped such that a portion of the partition wall 200 that is in contact with the inner surface of the chilled water tank 100 is partially cut off, and it goes without saying that it must have a size and shape that does not obstruct the connecting line 320 and the flow of purified water. For example, the opening passage u1 may be hemispherical or semi-elliptical in shape.

[0067] Furthermore, the opening passage u1 may have a structure in which a portion of it forms a first gap a1 in the first direction and a second gap a2 in the second direction with the inner circumferential surface of the chilled water tank 100, so that the evaporator 300, which will be described later, can pass through and be coupled to the passage in a stable manner (see Figure 3).

[0068] On the other hand, in the illustration, for example, the first partition wall 210 is made of one plate and the second partition wall 220 is made of two plates, but it goes without saying that the design is not limited to this.

[0069] As shown in the figure, one first partition wall 210 and two second partition walls 220 divide the internal storage space S of the chilled water tank 100 into six heat exchange flow channel areas H / A.

[0070] Specifically, referring to Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7, when the water inlet pipe 130 is provided at the lower part of the first body portion 110 in the third direction, the heat exchange flow channel area H / A, which is partitioned by the partition wall portion 200, consists of a first heat exchange flow channel area (1), a second heat exchange flow channel area (2), a third heat exchange flow channel area (3), a fourth heat exchange flow channel area (4), a fifth heat exchange flow channel area (5), and a sixth heat exchange flow channel area (6). In this specification, the circled numbers indicating each heat exchange flow channel area in Figures 3, 4, 6, 7, and Figure 9 (described later) are shown with numbers in parentheses.

[0071] At this time, the first heat exchange channel area (1) is formed to have a length in the first direction, communicating with the water inlet 131 of the water inlet pipe 130 formed in the first body portion 110. The first heat exchange channel area (1) then forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction toward the second body portion 120 side (see Figure 3).

[0072] On the other hand, the second heat exchange channel area (2) is in communication with the first heat exchange channel area (1) via an opening passage u1 of the first heat exchange channel area (1), is located above the first heat exchange channel area (1) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. The second heat exchange channel area (2) then forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction toward the first body portion 110 (see Figure 3).

[0073] On the other hand, the third heat exchange channel area (3) is in communication with the second heat exchange channel area (2) via an opening passage u1 of the second heat exchange channel area (2), is located above the second heat exchange channel area (2) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. The third heat exchange channel area (3) then forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the second direction toward the second body portion 120 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0074] On the other hand, the fourth heat exchange channel area (4) is in communication with the third heat exchange channel area (3) via an opening passage u1 of the third heat exchange channel area (3), is located on the side of the third heat exchange channel area (3) in the second direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. The fourth heat exchange channel area (4) then forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction toward the first body portion 110 (see Figure 4).

[0075] On the other hand, the fifth heat exchange channel area (5) is in communication with the fourth heat exchange channel area (4) via an opening passage u1 of the fourth heat exchange channel area (4), is located at the lower part of the fourth heat exchange channel area (4) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. The fifth heat exchange channel area (5) then forms an opening passage u1 that opens in the third direction toward the second body portion 120 side (see Figure 4).

[0076] On the other hand, the sixth heat exchange channel area (6) is in communication with the fifth heat exchange channel area (5) via an opening passage u1 between them, is located at the lower part of the fifth heat exchange channel area (5) in the third direction, and is formed to have a length in the first direction. At this time, the sixth heat exchange channel area (6), which is the last Nth heat exchange channel area H / An, is connected to the outlet 141 of the outlet pipe 140.

[0077] In the illustration, as an example, the water outlet pipe 140 is shown to be formed on the lower side of the second body portion 120, but as mentioned above, it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the water outlet pipe 140 can also be formed on the first body portion 110 side.

[0078] The position of the water outlet pipe 140 can be determined by considering the structure of the water purifier and its connection to other modules.

[0079] On the other hand, the sixth heat exchange flow channel area (6) which communicates with the water outlet pipe 140 includes a plate-shaped or pipe-shaped water outlet guide 142 (Figures 4 and 6) of a set length, which ensures that low-temperature purified water is stably guided to the water outlet 141 side of the water outlet pipe 140, and that ice generated in the evaporator does not block the water outlet 141 and obstruct the flow of low-temperature purified water.

[0080] Such an outlet guide 142 ensures a stable guide area on the outlet 141 side in the sixth heat exchange channel area (6), so that low-temperature purified water can be stably extracted through the outlet 141.

[0081] As described above, the multiple heat exchange channel areas H / A formed in the partition wall section 200, including the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220, have a structure that allows them to communicate with one another.

[0082] Then, the purified water at room temperature that flows into the first heat exchange channel area H / A1, i.e., the first heat exchange channel area (1) in the diagram, via the inlet pipe 130, has to have at least one upward flow in the third direction, since the aforementioned heat exchange channel areas are partitioned adjacent to each other in the second or third direction. As it passes through the Nth heat exchange channel area H / An, i.e., the sixth heat exchange channel area (6) in the diagram, it exchanges heat with the evaporator 300, which will be described later, located within the heat exchange channel area H / A, and is extracted as low-temperature purified water (cold water) via the outlet pipe 140.

[0083] On the other hand, the partition wall 200 described above, that is, the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220, may, for example, be arranged in the containment space S before the first body part 110 and the second body part 120 are joined, in a form that already intersects orthogonally to each other and has a lattice structure.

[0084] In this case, the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 may be formed of a rigid material, or they may be formed partially or entirely of a soft material. In other words, the materials of the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 are not limited and can be changed as needed.

[0085] On the other hand, the edges of the partition wall 200 are positioned under pressure on the inner circumferential surface of the storage space S of the chilled water tank 100, preventing purified water from seeping through the gaps at the edges. As a result, the incoming purified water moves entirely along the heat exchange channel area H / A, and heat exchange takes place.

[0086] On the other hand, the partition wall portion 200 may be connected to the chilled water tank 100 by having its edges tightly fitted into connecting grooves 101 formed on the inner circumferential surface.

[0087] In other words, the chilled water tank 100 has a coupling groove 101 on the inner circumferential surface of the storage space S into which the edge of the partition wall portion 200 is tightly fitted. At this time, the coupling groove 101 has a set length that corresponds to the entire end of the partition wall portion 200 (see Figure 3).

[0088] On the other hand, as another example, in order to improve the ease of assembly of the chilled water tank assembly 1, the partition wall portion 200 may be already integrally bonded or molded to the inner circumferential surface of the first body portion 110 or the second body portion 120 that constitute the chilled water tank 100, and then positioned in the storage space by the bonding of the first body portion 110 and the second body portion 120.

[0089] In other words, the first body portion 110 may have a part of the first partition wall 210 or the second partition wall 220 integrally formed on its inner circumferential surface, while the second body portion 120 may have another part of the first partition wall 210 or the second partition wall 220 integrally formed on its inner circumferential surface.

[0090] When the first body section 110 and the second body section 120 are joined together in a sealed manner, the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 intersect and form a grid structure, dividing the containment space into multiple heat exchange flow channel areas H / A.

[0091] Next, referring again to Figures 1 to 7, the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has an evaporator 300 that is arranged to penetrate the heat exchange flow channel area H / A.

[0092] Such an evaporator 300 has a set length in the shape of a pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and is made of metal material.

[0093] On the other hand, as described above, the evaporator 300 is arranged to be drawn into and then drawn out of the internal storage space S of the chilled water tank 100, and such an evaporator 300 may be divided into a draw-in line 300a side and a draw-out line 300b side.

[0094] The diagram shows that such a draw-in line 300a and a draw-out line 300b are provided in the first body section 110. However, it goes without saying that the diagram is not limited to this, and the draw-in line 300a and the draw-out line 300b may be provided in the second body section 120 depending on the arrangement of the heat exchange flow path area H / A, or one of them may be provided in the first body section 110 and the other in the second body section 120.

[0095] However, the lead line 300b of the evaporator 300 is structured to be led out from the evaporator 300 located in the first heat exchange flow channel area H / A1, similar to the inlet pipe 130 (see Figure 3), and the inlet line 300a of the evaporator 300 is structured to be drawn in so as to be connected to the evaporator 300 located in the last Nth heat exchange flow channel area H / An, similar to the outlet pipe 140 (see Figure 4).

[0096] As a result, the refrigerant injected into the evaporator 300 has a flow that first passes through the last Nth heat exchange flow path region H / An of the chilled water tank 100 via the draw-in line 300a, then sequentially passes through the heat exchange flow path regions H / A, and then finally passes through the first heat exchange flow path region H / A1 before exiting to the outside of the chilled water tank 100 via the draw-out line 300b.

[0097] In other words, the flow direction of the refrigerant in the evaporator 300 is opposite to the order in which the purified water at room temperature flows into the first heat exchange channel area H / A1 via the inlet pipe 130, passes through the heat exchange channel areas H / A sequentially, and then passes through the last heat exchange channel area H / An.

[0098] Normally, in the evaporator 300, ice is generated outside the evaporator 300 as the temperature decreases according to the order in which the refrigerant is injected and flows. As a result, in the chilled water tank assembly 1 of the present invention, the purified water at room temperature flowing in through the inlet pipe 130 undergoes sufficient heat exchange with the ice generated in the final heat exchange flow channel area H / An, allowing for the extraction of lower temperature purified water (chilled water).

[0099] On the other hand, the lead line 300a of the evaporator 300, which is drawn into the containment space S of the chilled water tank 100, is arranged to sequentially pass through multiple heat exchange flow path areas H / A that partition the containment space S (see Figures 6 and 7).

[0100] Specifically, the evaporator 300 is drawn into a containment space S and drawn out to the outside while sequentially passing through a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas H / A, and includes a main line 310 arranged to pass through the heat exchange flow path areas H / A in a first direction, and a connecting line 320 in which the end of the main line 310 is bent so as to connect the main line 310 located in an adjacent heat exchange flow path area H / A.

[0101] As described above, the connecting line 320 connects the main line 310 to the adjacent main line 310 while passing through the opening passage u1 formed by the partition wall 200 in the heat exchange flow channel area H / A.

[0102] Preferably, the main line 310 of the evaporator 300 is positioned to pass along the centerline of the heat exchange channel area H / A in a first direction. This allows the purified water at room temperature passing through the heat exchange channel area H / A to come into contact with the upper and lower parts of the ice formed in the main line 310, causing the temperature of the purified water to decrease more rapidly. This results in a faster rate of low-temperature purified water production in the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] On the other hand, referring again to Figures 5 and 6, the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an insulating case 400 to improve thermal insulation.

[0104] At this time, the insulated case 400 has a structure that encloses the chilled water tank 100, forming a space S / A (Figure 6) between itself and the outer surface of the chilled water tank 100.

[0105] In this case, the space S / A between them may be in the form of a vacuum-insulated space, and the insulating material 410 may be filled in as needed.

[0106] Referring again to Figures 1 to 5, as described above, the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a water level sensor 160, a temperature sensor 150, and an overflow pipe 170.

[0107] The water level sensor 160 confirms the amount of purified water that flows into the chilled water tank 100 and undergoes heat exchange. Preferably, it is positioned in the heat exchange channel area H / A formed at the top of the third direction in the containment space S to measure the purified water level in the heat exchange channel area H / A.

[0108] As an example, the water level sensor 160 is shown to be located on the upper part of the second body section 120, but it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can also be located on the first body section 110.

[0109] On the other hand, the temperature sensor 150 is for checking the temperature of the purified water and is installed in one of the multiple heat exchange channel sections to check the temperature of the purified water flowing through the heat exchange channel section. In this case, the temperature sensor 150 has a set length that extends into the interior of the heat exchange channel section H / A.

[0110] In one embodiment, as shown in the figure, the temperature sensor 150 may be provided in the first heat exchange channel area H / A1 which is in communication with the water inlet pipe 130, and it is possible to check how quickly the purified water at room temperature that flows in through it is heat exchanged in the first heat exchange channel area H / A1 to produce low-temperature purified water (see Figure 3).

[0111] On the other hand, the position of the temperature sensor 150 is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can be placed in the last Nth heat exchange channel area H / An to measure the temperature of the low-temperature purified water being discharged, or it can be placed on the heat exchange channel area H / A at a specific location where ice is generated in the evaporator 300 to measure the temperature of the purified water at the ice generation location.

[0112] In other words, the installation location of the temperature sensor 150 is not limited. Furthermore, it goes without saying that, if necessary, multiple temperature sensors 150 can be installed in multiple heat exchange flow path areas H / A.

[0113] On the other hand, the overflow pipe 170 is provided to communicate with the heat exchange flow channel area H / A, which is formed at the top of the third direction in the storage space of the chilled water tank 100.

[0114] Such an overflow pipe 170 serves to relieve pressure when overpressure is generated inside the chilled water tank 100 and to discharge the purified water from inside to the outside.

[0115] As described above, in the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, heat exchange is performed on purified water flowing in from a plurality of heat exchange flow channel areas H / A partitioned by a first partition wall 210 and a second partition wall 220, and the room temperature purified water flowing into the first heat exchange flow channel area H / A1 passes through the last Nth heat exchange flow channel area H / An while forming an upward third-direction flow at least once, and is extracted as low-temperature purified water.

[0116] Such multiple heat exchange channel areas H / A are formed in a set number depending on the number and arrangement of the first partition wall 210 and the second partition wall 220 that constitute the partition wall section 200.

[0117] The configuration of this partition wall 200 can be changed according to the size of the water purifier in which the chilled water tank assembly 1 is installed.

[0118] For example, as in Figures 8 and 9, the chilled water tank assembly 1' may have the structure of an extended chilled water tank 100' having a first heat exchange channel area (1) which is the first heat exchange channel area H / A1 and a 42nd heat exchange channel area (42) which is the last heat exchange channel area H / An, depending on the arrangement of the partition wall 200.

[0119] In such a chilled water tank assembly 1', a first body portion 110' and a second body portion 120' are joined together so as to be sealed through a clamp 180', and an inlet pipe 130' is configured on one side of the first body portion 110', and an outlet pipe 140' is configured on one side of the second body portion 120'.

[0120] The expanded chilled water tank assembly 1' performs heat exchange of purified water flowing in from multiple heat exchange channel areas H / A, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7, and the ambient temperature purified water flowing into the first heat exchange channel area H / A1 passes through the last Nth heat exchange channel area H / An, forming an upward third-direction flow at least once, and is extracted as low-temperature purified water.

[0121] Table 1 is a table comparing the chilling efficiency of a conventional chilled water tank assembly and a chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Conventionally, for comparison, the chilled water tank assembly had a rectangular tank structure with an evaporator. Cooling time is the time until purified water at a temperature of 10°C or lower is extracted. Random extraction temperature is the temperature of the extracted purified water at a low temperature. The number of chilled water extraction cups indicates the number of chilled water extraction cups at a temperature of 10°C or lower, based on a standard extraction volume of 120cc. Chilled water efficiency is the value obtained by dividing the amount of chilled water extracted by the tank specifications (water volume of the tank).

[0123] [Table 1]

[0124] Referring to [Table 1], it can be seen that a conventional chilled water tank assembly has a tank specification (tank water volume) of 1L, and the cooling time required to extract chilled water (low-temperature purified water) below 10°C by operating the evaporator is 49 minutes. At this time, when chilled water is extracted randomly until an extraction temperature above 10°C is reached, the number of cups of chilled water extracted is 5.

[0125] On the other hand, in the chilled water tank assembly according to the present invention, when the tank specifications (water volume of the tank) are 1L as in the conventional method, it takes 38 minutes for the evaporator to be operated and chilled water (low-temperature purified water) below 10°C to be extracted. At this time, when chilled water is extracted randomly until an extraction temperature above 10°C is reached, it can be seen that 6 cups of chilled water can be extracted.

[0126] In comparison, the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to the present invention has a cooling time of 38 minutes, which is shorter than that of conventional chilled water tank assemblies. Furthermore, it is possible to dispense more chilled water than conventional methods while reducing the cooling time.

[0127] Through this, it can be confirmed that the chilling efficiency of a conventional chilled water tank assembly is 60%, while the chilling efficiency of the chilled water tank assembly of the present invention is 72%.

[0128] Thus, it can be seen that the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention clearly improves the tank chilling efficiency even when the tank capacity (volume of water in the tank) is the same as that of a conventional chilled water tank assembly.

[0129] As a result, the chilled water tank assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be made smaller in size than conventional models, thereby minimizing the design space required for the water purifier.

[0130] As described above, the chilled water tank assemblies 1 and 1' according to the present invention divide the storage space S inside the chilled water tank 100 into a plurality of heat exchange flow channel areas H / A using a first partition wall 210 in the XZ plane and a second partition wall 220 in the XY plane, thereby forming the maximum possible heat exchange flow channel area H / A in a limited space, and increasing the contact area between the purified water and the evaporator.

[0131] Furthermore, the multiple partition sections 200, including the first partition 210 in the XZ plane and the second partition 220 in the XY plane, divide the containment space into multiple heat exchange flow path areas H / A having a length in the first direction and adjacent in the second or third direction, and have a flow in which purified water rises at least once, thereby maximizing the time that the purified water is in contact with the evaporator 300, improving the cooling efficiency relative to the capacity, and maximizing the amount of chilled water extracted.

[0132] Furthermore, the flow of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator 300 and is extracted, and the flow of purified water that flows into the heat exchange channel section H / A and is extracted, have opposite flows. As a result, the purified water that passes through the final heat exchange channel section H / An and is extracted can be extracted at a lower temperature than the low temperature of the purified water that is extracted by heat exchange with the ice formed in the evaporator by the refrigerant until the very end.

[0133] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, the concept of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Those skilled in the art who understand the concept of the present invention can easily propose other embodiments within the same concept by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components, and these too can be said to be within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0134] 1, 1': Chilled water tank assembly 100: Chilled water tank 101: Joint groove 110, 110': First body section 120, 120': Second body section; 130, 130': Water inlet pipe 131: Water inlet 140, 140': Water outlet pipe 141: Outlet 142: Outlet guide 150: Temperature sensor 160: Water level sensor 170: Overflow pipe 180: Clamp 200: Partition wall part 210: First partition wall 220: Second partition; 300, 300': Evaporator 300a: Drawer line 300b: Drawer line 310: Main line 320: Connecting line 400: Insulated case S: ​​Storage space U1: Open passage

Claims

1. A chilled water tank is provided with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe through which purified water flows, forming a storage space inside and having a length in the first direction. A partition wall comprising: at least one first partition wall formed in the shape of a plate having an XZ plane and partitioning the containment space in a second direction; and at least one second partition wall formed in the shape of a plate having an XY plane, intersecting the first partition wall and partitioning the containment space in a third direction, wherein the containment space is divided into a plurality of heat exchange flow channel areas having a length in the first direction and adjacent in the second or third direction, wherein the first, second and third directions are orthogonal to each other, the XZ plane is a plane including the first and third directions, and the XY plane is a plane including the first and second directions, and An evaporator through which a refrigerant flows includes a main line, which is drawn into the containment space and is drawn out to the outside while sequentially passing through a plurality of heat exchange flow path areas, and is arranged to pass through the heat exchange flow path areas in a first direction, and a connecting line, the end of which is bent so as to connect adjacent main lines, The partition wall section has an opening passage through which the connecting line and the purified water pass, while connecting the adjacent heat exchange flow path sections. The purified water at room temperature that flows into the first heat exchange channel area passes through the Nth heat exchange channel area, forming at least one upward flow in a third direction, and is extracted as low-temperature purified water. A chilled water tank assembly wherein the edge of the partition wall is positioned under pressure against the inner circumferential surface of the storage space of the chilled water tank, thereby sealing the gap between the edge and the inner circumferential surface and preventing the leakage of purified water from the gap.

2. The first partition and the second partition are, The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intersecting elements intersect at mutual orthogonals to form a grid structure.

3. The aforementioned main line is, The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 2, which is arranged to pass along the center line in the first direction of the heat exchange flow channel area.

4. The aforementioned cold water tank is The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling groove on its inner circumferential surface into which the edge of the partition wall portion is tightly fitted.

5. The aforementioned cold water tank is The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, having a closed cross-sectional shape with a minor axis in a second direction and a major axis in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction.

6. The aforementioned chilled water tank assembly is The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating case that forms a space between itself and the outer surface of the chilled water tank and encloses the chilled water tank.

7. The space between the above is The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 6, wherein a vacuum-insulated space is formed or an insulating material is filled into it.

8. The aforementioned cold water tank is A first body portion having a housing shape with a first opening, The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, comprising a housing shape having a second opening corresponding to the first opening so as to be in contact with it, and a second body portion coupled to the first body portion so as to be sealed.

9. The first body portion has a part of the first partition wall or the second partition wall integrally formed on its inner circumferential surface. The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second body portion has the first partition wall or another part of the second partition wall integrally formed on its inner circumferential surface.

10. The aforementioned cold water tank is A water level sensor for measuring the purified water level in the heat exchange channel area formed at the uppermost part in the third direction within the aforementioned containment space, The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of any one of the multiple heat exchange channel regions.

11. The aforementioned temperature sensor is The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 10, which is positioned in the first heat exchange channel area communicating with the inlet pipe.

12. The aforementioned cold water tank is The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an overflow pipe communicating with the heat exchange flow channel area formed at the uppermost part in the third direction of the containment space.

13. The chilled water tank assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flow of refrigerant in the evaporator and the flow of purified water passing through the heat exchange channel area are formed to have flows in opposite directions to each other.

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