Water outlet module for water purifiers or hot / cold water dispensers

Abstract

The present invention provides a water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser, which is mounted so as to protrude upward from the case body of the water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser and is formed to dispense water. [Solution] To this end, the device includes a support pipe that is in the shape of a hollow pipe extending in the vertical direction, with its lower end fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the case body and having a water outlet line arranged inside, and a water outlet cork module that is connected to the upper end of the support pipe and is formed to be able to discharge water supplied through the water outlet line, wherein the support pipe is formed to be able to rotate and fold around a horizontal axis of rotation at an intermediate pivot point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water outlet module for a water purifier or a cold and hot water dispenser. More specifically, by configuring the support pipe of the water outlet module to be rotatable and foldable, the arrangement structure of the water outlet module can be changed to be very compact as needed, and thereby damage such as breakage or bending of the water outlet module can be prevented during the manufacturing and assembly processes, as well as during the packaging and transportation processes, ensuring quality and safety. The present invention relates to a water outlet module for a water purifier or a cold and hot water dispenser.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, due to rapid industrial development, environmental pollution has become severe. Among these, water pollution has reached a serious level, and in most places such as homes and government offices, drinking water is consumed through cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers.

[0003] A cold and hot water dispenser is generally configured to be able to discharge the water stored in a water storage bucket for drinking, and a device for heating or cooling the water is separately provided inside the cold and hot water dispenser. On the contrary, a water purifier is generally configured to receive water supply from the outside, purify this water through a water purification device, and then discharge it for drinking, and a device for heating or cooling the water is also separately provided inside the water purifier.

[0004] Such a cold and hot water dispenser or water purifier generally includes a case body with a plurality of components such as a water supply pump, a filter, and a water supply piping line built therein, and a water outlet module including a water outlet cock that is exposed from the case body to the outside so that water can be discharged.

[0005] For general water purifiers or cold and hot water dispensers currently in use, technologies for the position adjustment structure of the water outlet module for convenience of use have been developed, but in fact, technologies for preventing damage to the water outlet module have not been developed at all.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2151819 Specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water purifier that can be configured so that the support pipe of the water outlet module can be rotated and folded, thereby allowing the arrangement structure of the water outlet module to be changed to be very compact as needed, and thereby preventing damage such as breakage or snapping of the water outlet module during the manufacturing and assembly process, as well as during packaging and transportation, and ensuring quality safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a water outlet module for a water purifier or chiller / heater, which is mounted so as to protrude upward from the case body of the water purifier or chiller / heater and is formed to dispense water. The module includes a support pipe that is vertically extended and has a hollow pipe shape, with its lower end fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the case body and having a water outlet line arranged inside, and a water outlet module that is connected to the upper end of the support pipe and is formed to dispense water supplied through the water outlet line, wherein the support pipe is formed to be rotatable and foldable around a horizontal axis of rotation at an intermediate pivot point.

[0009] At this time, n rotation axes are formed in the support pipe, and the support pipe is divided into n+1 segmented pipes separated into upper and lower sections around each rotation axis, and adjacent segmented pipes can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis located between them and be folded.

[0010] Furthermore, the water outlet module for the water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser may further include a locking mechanism for locking or unlocking the relative rotational movement between adjacent divided pipes by user operation.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking means includes a central shaft that is arranged to be horizontally movable along the axial direction on the rotation axis to a locked position and an unlocked position, and has a locking fin portion that protrudes radially on one side of its outer circumferential surface; a first connecting portion formed at the upper end of the first divided pipe of two adjacent first and second divided pipes, through which the central shaft is inserted and a first locking groove portion is formed so that the locking fin portion is inserted and engages; and a second connecting portion formed at the lower end of the second divided pipe, through which the central shaft is inserted and a second locking groove portion is formed so that the locking fin portion is inserted and engages. When the central shaft is moved to the locked position, the locking fin portion is simultaneously inserted and engaged with the first locking groove portion and the second locking groove portion, and when the central shaft is moved to the unlocked position, the locking fin portion can be inserted and disengaged from either the first locking groove portion or the second locking groove portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the locking mechanism further includes an elastic spring that elastically pressurizes the central shaft to the locked position, and when the central shaft is moved to the locked position, one end protrudes outside the support pipe and can be moved to the unlocked position by pressure applied by the user.

[0013] Furthermore, multiple locking fins are formed on the outer surface of the central shaft so as to be spaced apart along the circumferential direction, and multiple first locking grooves and second locking grooves can be formed so as to be spaced apart along the circumferential direction to correspond to the locking fins. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, by configuring the support pipe of the water outlet module to be rotatable and foldable, the arrangement structure of the water outlet module can be made very compact as needed. This has the effect of preventing damage such as breakage or snapping of the water outlet module during the manufacturing and assembly processes, as well as during packaging and transportation, thereby ensuring quality and safety.

[0015] Furthermore, by allowing the user to lock and unlock the rotation of the water outlet module, it is possible to ensure both the rotational folding operation and structural safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This drawing schematically shows the configuration of a water outlet module applied to a water purifier or hot / cold water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows a rotating and folding structure for a water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the divided shape of a support pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view showing the rotational configuration of a support pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the detailed configuration of the support pipe and locking means according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] These drawings illustrate the structure and operating state of a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Similarly, this is a drawing illustrating the structure and operating state of a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] In the following sections, specific embodiments for realizing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] First, when adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components, even if shown on other drawings, should have as nearly the same numerals as possible. Also, in the description of the present invention, if it is judged that a specific description of related known components or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] Also, when a component is referred to as being "connected", "supported", "connected to", "supplied with", "transmitted to", or "contacted" by another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected, supported, connected to, supplied with, transmitted to, or contacted by the other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0020] The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] Also, expressions such as upper side, lower side, and side surface in this specification are described based on the criteria shown in the drawings, and it is clarified in advance that the expressions may be different if the direction of the corresponding object is changed. For the same reason, in the accompanying drawings, some components are exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically, and the sizes of the components do not fully reflect the actual sizes.

[0022] Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. can be used to describe various components, but the corresponding components are not limited by such terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0023] The meaning of "comprising" used in the specification does not exclude the presence or addition of other specific features, regions, purities, steps, operations, elements, and / or components when embodying a specific feature, region, purity, step, operation, element, component, and / or group.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a water outlet module applied to a chiller / heater according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The chiller / heater shown in Figure 1 has a raw water bucket 20 mounted on the top surface of the case body 10, and a separate raw water bucket cover 30 is detachably attached to the outside of the raw water bucket 20. The water outlet module 40 is formed to extend above the raw water bucket 20 and the water outlet bucket cover 30. That is, the water outlet module 40 is formed to protrude upward from one side of the case body 10 so that the water outlet caulk 320 is located above the raw water bucket cover 30.

[0026] The water outlet module 40 may include a support pipe 100, which is a hollow pipe shape extending vertically and whose lower end is fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the case body 10, with a water outlet line (not shown) arranged inside, and a water outlet coke module 300, which is connected to the upper end of the support pipe 100 and is formed to be able to discharge water supplied through the water outlet line.

[0027] The water outlet caulk module 300 may include a water outlet caulk case 310 that is a hollow pipe shape extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the upper end of the support pipe 100, a water outlet caulk 320 that is attached to the lower surface of the water outlet caulk case 310 and can dispense water, and an operating unit 330 that is attached to the upper or front surface of the water outlet caulk case 310 for operation by the user.

[0028] In a water cooler or heater formed in such a way that the water outlet module 40 protrudes upward from the case body 10, the water outlet module 40 protrudes upward independently without any separate support parts, so damage such as breakage or snapping frequently occurs due to careless handling during the manufacturing and assembly process, or during packaging and transportation.

[0029] Furthermore, there are problems such as frequent damage to the water outlet module 40 during the process of the user moving the water cooler / heater while using it.

[0030] This type of water outlet module structure can be applied equally to water purifiers as well as chillers and water heaters, and in both cases, problems with damage to the water outlet module can occur equally.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a rotating and folding structure of a water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] A water outlet module for a water purifier or chiller according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be mounted so as to protrude upward from the case body 10 of the water purifier or chiller and is capable of dispensing water, and comprises a support pipe 100 and a water outlet module 300.

[0033] First, Figure 2 shows the configuration of the water outlet module 40 applied to a chiller / heater, and below, for the sake of convenience, the explanation will focus on the chiller / heater and the water outlet module 40.

[0034] The support pipe 100 is a hollow pipe shape that extends vertically, with its lower end fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the case body 10, and a water outlet line (not shown) is arranged inside. The water outlet line can be connected from a water supply pump located in the internal space of the case body 10 to the water outlet cork 320 so that water can be discharged through the water outlet cork 320. The water outlet line can be extended and arranged along the internal space of the support pipe 100.

[0035] The water outlet module 300 is connected to the upper end of the support pipe 100 and is formed to be able to discharge water supplied through the water outlet line.

[0036] Such a water discharge cork module 300 may include a water discharge cork case 310 that is a hollow pipe shape extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the upper end of a support pipe 100, a water discharge cork 320 that is attached to the lower surface of the water discharge cork case 310 and can discharge water, and an operating unit 330 that is attached to the upper or front surface of the water discharge cork case 310 for operation by the user.

[0037] The structure of this water-out coke module 300 is illustrative and can be modified in various ways according to the user's needs.

[0038] In this case, the support pipe 100 is formed in such a way that it can rotate and fold around a horizontal rotation axis 110 at an intermediate pivot point, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this case, multiple rotation axes 110, which are the centers of rotation and folding, can be formed, and through these, the support pipe 100 can rotate and fold at multiple pivot points.

[0039] More specifically, the support pipe 100 has n rotation axes 110 formed thereon, and the support pipe 100 is divided into n+1 segmented pipes 101 that are separated into upper and lower sections around each rotation axis 110, and adjacent segmented pipes 101 can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis 110 located between them and be folded.

[0040] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the support pipe 100 can have two rotation axes 110 formed on it, and in this case, the support pipe 100 can be separated vertically around each rotation axis 110 and divided into three segmented pipes 101. Each segmented pipe 101 can rotate and fold around the rotation axis 110 relative to the adjacent segmented pipe 101. As shown in Figure 2(B), the segmented pipes 101 can rotate and fold around two rotation axes 110, and in this case, the support pipe 100 can be arranged very compactly in a two-stage rotation and folding configuration.

[0041] In other words, the support pipe 100 is formed to rotate and fold around a pivot axis 110 located at an intermediate pivot point, allowing it to be compactly arranged so that the height protruding upward from the case body 10 is reduced. For example, as shown in Figure 2(B), the support pipe 100 can be folded to a size that can be accommodated within the internal space of the water bucket cover 30.

[0042] By configuring the support pipe 100 to be rotatable and foldable in this way, the arrangement structure of the support pipe 100 can be made very compact, thereby preventing damage such as bending of the support pipe 100 and the water outlet module 40 during the manufacturing and assembly processes, as well as during packaging and transportation. In particular, when the support pipe 100 is rotatably folded and then packaged and transported with the water bucket cover 30 attached to its exterior, the support pipe 100 can be protected very stably, which is very advantageous in ensuring quality and safety.

[0043] Furthermore, when moving the position of the water cooler / heater during use, the support pipe 100 can be folded and compactly positioned, allowing the water cooler / heater to be moved while the support pipe 100 is in place, thus preventing damage to the support pipe 100.

[0044] On the other hand, the water outlet module 40 may further include a locking mechanism 200 that locks or unlocks the relative rotational movement between adjacent divided pipes 101 by user operation, but the structure of the locking mechanism 200 will be described in detail below.

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the divided shape of the support pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic side view showing the rotational form of the support pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the detailed configuration of the support pipe and locking means according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 6 and 7 are drawings shown to explain the structure and operating state of the locking means according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The support pipe 100 is separated into upper and lower divided pipes 101 around a rotation axis 110, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, adjacent divided pipes 101 can be folded by relatively rotating around the rotation axis 110 located between them. The relative rotation angle of the divided pipes 101 can be limited to 90° through a stopper (not shown) or the like.

[0047] For example, if two adjacent divided pipes 101 are referred to as the first divided pipe 101a and the upper divided pipe 101 as the second divided pipe 101b, then the second divided pipe 101b can be folded by rotating perpendicularly around the rotation axis 110, as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0048] At this time, the locking mechanism 200 is operated by the user to lock or unlock the rotational movement of the divided pipe 101. That is, if the locking mechanism 200 is operated in the locked state, the rotational movement of the divided pipe 101 is impossible, and if the locking mechanism 200 is operated in the unlocked state, the divided pipe 101 can rotate.

[0049] Such a locking mechanism 200 may include a central shaft 210, a first coupling portion 220, and a second coupling portion 230.

[0050] The central shaft 210 is arranged to move horizontally along the axial direction on the same axis as the rotating shaft 110, and a locking wing portion 211 is formed on one side of its outer circumferential surface, projecting radially.

[0051] The first joint portion 220 is formed at the upper end of the first divided pipe 101a, of the first and second divided pipes 101a and 101b that are adjacent to each other. A first locking groove portion 222 is formed on one side such that the central shaft 210 is inserted through it and the locking wing portion 211 is inserted and engages with it. A through hole 221 is formed in the center of the first locking groove portion 222 so that the central shaft 210 passes through it.

[0052] The second joint portion 230 is formed at the lower end of the second divided pipe 101b of the first and second divided pipes 101a and 101b which are adjacent to each other. A second locking groove portion 232 is formed on one side such that the central shaft 210 is inserted through it and the locking wing portion 211 is inserted and engages with it. A through hole 231 is formed in the center of the second locking groove portion 232 so that the central shaft 210 passes through it.

[0053] At this time, with the central shaft 210 moved to the locked position, the locking vane portion 211 is simultaneously inserted into and engaged with the first locking groove portion 222 and the second locking groove portion 232, and with the central shaft 210 moved to the unlocked position, the locking vane portion 211 is inserted into and disengaged from either the first locking groove portion 222 or the second locking groove portion 232.

[0054] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 200 may further include an elastic spring 240 that elastically pressurizes the central shaft 210 to the locked position, and the central shaft 210 may be configured such that one end protrudes outside the support pipe 100 when it is moved to the locked position, and moves to the unlocked position by pressure applied by the user.

[0055] Furthermore, multiple locking fins 211 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the central shaft 210 so as to be spaced apart along the circumferential direction, and multiple first locking grooves 222 and second locking grooves 232 can be formed so as to be spaced apart along the circumferential direction to correspond to the locking fins 211.

[0056] To explain in more detail, locking fins 211 can be formed on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the central shaft 210. The first divided pipe 101a can be divided into left first divided pipe 101a' and right first divided pipe 101a'', and the second divided pipe 101b can be divided into left second divided pipe 101b' and right second divided pipe 101b''. A first connecting portion 220 can be formed on the left first divided pipe 101a' and the right first divided pipe 101a'', and a second connecting portion 230 can be formed on the left second divided pipe 101b' and the right second divided pipe 101b''.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the central shaft 210 normally maintains a locked position due to the elastic force of the elastic spring 240. At this time, the two locking vanes 211 engage simultaneously with the two first and two second connecting parts 220 and 230, respectively. Because the locking vanes 211 engage simultaneously with the first and second connecting parts 220 and 230, relative rotation of the first divided pipe 101a and the second divided pipe 101b is impossible, and the current rotational arrangement is maintained and fixed.

[0058] As shown in Figure 7, when the user applies pressure to the central shaft 210, the central shaft 210 moves horizontally to the unlocked position. At this time, the locking vanes 211 are released from the second joint 230 while maintaining their engagement with the first joint 220. The two locking vanes 211 are simultaneously released from the two second joints 230. By releasing the locking vanes 211 from the second joints 230 in this way, the first divided pipe 101a and the second divided pipe 101b become rotatable relative to each other. In this state, that is, while the central shaft 210 is applied pressure, the second divided pipe 101b can be rotated and folded. Conversely, when the second divided pipe 101b is rotated and folded, the second divided pipe 101b can be returned to its unfolded state (the state shown in Figure 6) while the central shaft 210 is applied pressure.

[0059] Thus, the structure of the water outlet module 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention allows the support pipe 100 to be rotated and folded around multiple rotation axes 110 by the user's operation, making the overall arrangement very compact. This prevents damage to the water outlet module during the transport and relocation of the chiller / heater, enabling safer operation.

[0060] The above explanation was based on the water outlet module applied to a water chiller / heater, but the same principles can be applied to water purifiers in which the water outlet module protrudes upward from the case body 10.

[0061] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs will be able to make various modifications and variations without deviating from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only, not to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 10 Case body 20 raw water bucket 30 Water bucket cover 40 Water Outlet Module 100 support pipes 101 divided pipes 110 Rotation axis 200 locking methods 210 Center shaft 211 Locking wing section 220 1st joint 222 First locking groove 230 Second joint 232 Second locking groove 240 elastic springs 300 Outflow Coke Module 310 Water Discharge Coke Case 320 Izumi Coke 330 Operation section

Claims

1. A water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / coloured water heater, which is mounted so as to protrude upward from the case body of the water purifier or hot / coloured water heater and is formed to dispense water, A support pipe, which is hollow and extends vertically, has its lower end fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the case body, and has a water outlet line arranged inside, Outflow Coke Module and Includes, The water discharge cork module includes a water discharge cork case that is a hollow pipe shape extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the upper end of the support pipe, and a water discharge cork that is attached to the lower surface of the water discharge cork case and is capable of discharging water. The support pipe is formed to be rotatable and foldable around a horizontal axis of rotation at an intermediate pivot point. The support pipe and the water outlet module move toward the upper surface of the case body and are housed when the support pipe is folded. Water outlet module for water purifiers or hot / cold water systems.

2. The support pipe has n of the rotation shafts formed therein. The water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the support pipe is divided into n+1 segmented pipes separated in upper and lower sections around each of the rotation axes, and adjacent segmented pipes can be folded by rotating relative to each other around the rotation axis located between them.

3. The water outlet module for the water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser is: The water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser according to claim 2, further comprising a locking means for locking or unlocking the relative rotational movement between adjacent divided pipes by user operation.

4. The locking means is A central shaft is arranged coaxially with the aforementioned rotating shaft and is capable of horizontally moving along the axial direction to a locked position and an unlocked position, while having a locking fin portion that protrudes radially on one side of its outer surface. A first joint is formed in the upper end of the first divided pipe among the first and second divided pipes which are adjacent to each other, and a first locking groove is formed so that the central shaft is inserted through it and the locking fins are inserted and engaged, and A second connecting portion is formed at the lower end of the second divided pipe, through which the central shaft is inserted and the locking fin portion is inserted and engaged, and a second locking groove portion is formed therein. The water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the locking vane portion is simultaneously inserted into and engaged with the first locking groove portion and the second locking groove portion when the central shaft is moved to the unlocked position, and the locking vane portion is inserted into and disengaged from either the first locking groove portion or the second locking groove portion when the central shaft is moved to the unlocked position.

5. The locking means is The system further includes an elastic spring that elastically pressurizes the central shaft to the locked position, The water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the central shaft is moved to the locked position with one end protruding outside the support pipe, and moves to the unlocked position by pressure applied by the user.

6. Multiple locking fins are formed on the outer surface of the central shaft so as to be spaced apart along the circumferential direction. The water outlet module for a water purifier or hot / cold water dispenser according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the first locking groove and the second locking groove are formed so as to be spaced apart along the circumferential direction to correspond to the locking fins.

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