Water purifier

Abstract

Provided is a water purifier (100) comprising: a filter unit (110) having a reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) in order to generate purified water; a supply valve (FV) opened and closed so that water is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113); an instantaneous heating device (140) having a water inlet (141) supplied with purified water, having been filtered by the filter unit (110), and a water outlet (142) having the purified water heated and discharged therefrom, and heating the purified water flowing into the water inlet (141) and flowing out to the water outlet (142), so that hot water is discharged through the water outlet (142); an extraction member (170) provided for extracting the hot water discharged from the instantaneous heating device (140); a supply pump (130) operating in order to supply purified water to the water inlet (141) of the instantaneous heating device (140); a domestic water drainage line (DL1) from which domestic water, having not been filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) is discharged; a hot water drainage line (DL2) from which drain water, having been drained from the instantaneous heating device (140) is drained; a hot water drainage valve (V5) provided in the hot water drainage line (DL2) so as to open and close the hot water drainage line (DL2); and a control unit (C) controlling the opening and closing of respective flow passages of the hot water drainage line (DL2) and the domestic water drainage line (DL1) so that, among a hot water drainage process through the hot water drainage line (DL2), and a domestic water drainage process through the domestic water drainage line (DL1), the hot water drainage process is carried out first.

Description

water purifier

[0001] The present invention relates to a water purifier having an instantaneous heating device, and more specifically, to a water purifier that produces purified water through a reverse osmosis membrane filter and produces hot water through an instantaneous heating device.

[0002] A water purifier is a device that filters raw water through a filter unit with multiple filters to produce purified water. It provides users with not only room-temperature purified water, but also hot and / or cold water. Recently, ice purifiers that combine water purification with ice-making capabilities have also become popular.

[0003] These water purifiers can achieve the required filtration performance through various filters installed in the filter section.

[0004] For example, a high-filtration reverse osmosis membrane filter (RO filter) may be installed in the filter section. This reverse osmosis membrane filter filters raw water through reverse osmosis pressure, and any domestic water (concentrated water, wastewater) that fails to pass through the reverse osmosis membrane is discharged to the outside through a drain line.

[0005] Meanwhile, water purifiers sometimes use a hot water tank that stores purified water in a heated state for hot water extraction, but recently, instantaneous heating devices (rapid heating devices) are being widely used that provide hot water to users by heating purified water that flows into the inlet and is discharged through the outlet when the user inputs a hot water extraction signal.

[0006] These instantaneous heating devices perform heating through a heater when a hot water extraction signal is input. When the instantaneous heating device is operated after the hot water extraction signal is input, the temperature of the water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device is low, so the initially discharged water (drain water, waste water) is drained according to preset conditions (e.g., preset flow rate or time). In addition, even when hot water extraction is finished, the high-temperature water (drain water, waste water) remaining in the instantaneous heating device is drained.

[0007] Meanwhile, when a reverse osmosis membrane filter and an instantaneous heating device are installed at the same time, domestic water that does not pass through the reverse osmosis membrane filter is drained through the domestic water drain line, and the drain water (wastewater) drained from the instantaneous heating device is drained through the hot water drain line. At this time, for the convenience of connecting various drain lines to the final drainage location (such as a sewer) and to reduce the number of drain lines and installation costs, various drain lines (e.g., domestic water drain line and hot water drain line) are connected to a single drain line.

[0008] The installation standards for these drain lines vary depending on the design specifications of the water purifier, but they typically have a fairly long length (e.g., 25 m) and high installation height (e.g., 3 m).

[0009] Moreover, the drain line is often installed in a twisted or bent state not only inside the water purifier but also outside the water purifier. In this case, the long length of the drain line increases the resistance to flow and the pressure loss due to the height difference frequently causes drainage failure (drain failure) in which drainage does not occur.

[0010] In particular, when the domestic water drain and the hot water drain are performed at the same time, the amount of drain water (waste water) that needs to be drained increases, so only the drain line with higher pressure among the domestic water drain line and the hot water drain line is drained, and the drain line with lower pressure is not drained, resulting in a drainage failure. For example, when the hot water drain is additionally performed while the domestic water drain is in progress, if the discharge pressure of the hot water drain is lower than the discharge pressure of the domestic water drain, the hot water drain is not performed, and conversely, if the discharge pressure of the hot water drain is higher than the discharge pressure of the domestic water drain, there is a problem that the domestic water drain is not performed. For reference, the domestic water discharge pressure is determined by the entire drain line length from the reverse osmosis membrane filter to the final discharge location of the domestic water (the end of the drain line), the flow resistance in the drain line, the height difference, etc.

[0011] As described above, when a hot water extraction signal is input and the instantaneous heating device is operated, the water drained from the instantaneous heating device is drained according to preset conditions (e.g., preset flow rate). However, if the hot water drain does not occur (for example, when the domestic water drain and the hot water drain occur simultaneously and the discharge pressure of the hot water drain is lower than the discharge pressure of the domestic water drain), the flow rate of water flowing into the instantaneous heating device does not reach the preset flow rate, so the water contained in the instantaneous heating device continues to be heated without hot water extraction, resulting in an overheating state. To prepare for this overheating state, the instantaneous heating device is equipped with a safety valve that discharges steam when the preset pressure is reached. However, if the safety valve is damaged or malfunctions, a serious accident may occur in which the instantaneous heating device explodes due to the non-operation of the safety valve. Even if the safety valve operates normally, there is a problem in which hot water extraction does not occur.

[0012] Conversely, if drainage of living water is not performed, there is a problem that the filtration performance through the reverse osmosis membrane filter is reduced.

[0013]

[0014] Meanwhile, drain water (waste water) generated from internal components of the water purifier (e.g., ice storage or instantaneous heating device) is temporarily stored in a drain tank, and when the water level of the drain tank reaches a certain level (e.g., full water level), the drain water stored in the drain tank is drained through a drain line.

[0015] In this way, in cases where the drainage of hot water from the instantaneous heating device, the drainage of domestic water through the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and the drainage of the drain water contained in the drain tank are performed in a complex manner, problems caused by the drain water from the instantaneous heating device not being drained may occur more frequently. In addition, if the drain water contained in the drain tank is not drained, the drain water continues to be supplied to the drain tank, causing water overflow, which may lead to safety issues such as electric shock or fire.

[0016]

[0017] The present invention has been devised to solve at least some of the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a water purifier capable of stably and smoothly draining various types of drain water, such as household water.

[0018] In addition, the present invention, as one aspect, aims to provide a water purifier that can prevent an explosion of an instantaneous heating device or a phenomenon of non-extraction of hot water that may occur due to a drain failure of drain water drained from an instantaneous heating device.

[0019] And, the present invention aims, in one aspect, at providing a water purifier that can prevent water overflow from a drain tank and safety accidents such as electric shock or fire caused by a defective drain of drain water from the drain tank.

[0020]

[0021] In one aspect to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water purifier comprising: a filter unit having a reverse osmosis membrane filter for producing purified water; a supply valve that opens and closes to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter; an instantaneous heating device having an inlet through which purified water filtered by the filter unit is supplied, and an outlet through which purified water is heated and discharged, the instantaneous heating device heating purified water flowing into the inlet and flowing to the outlet so that hot water is discharged through the outlet; an extraction member provided for extracting hot water discharged from the instantaneous heating device; a supply pump that operates to supply purified water to the inlet of the instantaneous heating device; a domestic water drain line through which domestic water not filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter is discharged; a hot water drain line through which drain water drained from the instantaneous heating device is drained; a hot water drain valve provided in the hot water drain line and opening and closing the hot water drain line; The present invention provides a water purifier including a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain line and the domestic water drain line so that the hot water drain process is performed first among the hot water drain process through the hot water drain line and the domestic water drain process through the domestic water drain line.

[0022] The above control unit can open the hot water drain valve and close the supply valve to perform the hot water drain process when a hot water drain signal is input to drain the drain water drained from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line.

[0023] In addition, the control unit may open the hot water drain valve and close the supply valve when the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is open to perform the hot water drain process, and after the hot water drain process is completed, open the supply valve again to perform the living water drain process, and may open the hot water drain valve when the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed to perform the hot water drain process and maintain the closed state of the supply valve.

[0024] And, when the hot water drain signal is input, the control unit can drive the supply pump to supply purified water to the water inlet.

[0025] At this time, the hot water drain signal may include at least one of an initial drain signal for draining purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line according to a first drain condition set in advance when a hot water extraction signal is input, and a terminal drain signal for draining hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line according to a second drain condition set in advance when a hot water extraction end signal is input.

[0026] Meanwhile, a water purifier according to one aspect of the present invention further includes: a drain tank for storing drain water generated inside the water purifier; a drain tank drain line through which the drain water contained in the drain tank is drained; and a drain pump provided in the drain tank drain line and operating to drain the drain water contained in the drain tank; wherein the control unit can control opening and closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain line, the domestic water drain line, and the drain tank drain line so that, among the hot water drain process, the domestic water drain process, and the drain tank drain process through the drain tank drain line, the drain process of the hot water drain process, the domestic water drain process, and the drain process are performed in the order of priority.

[0027] In addition, the control unit, when a hot water drain signal for draining drain water from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line is input, opens the hot water drain valve, stops the drain pump from operating, and closes the supply valve to perform the hot water drain process; and when a drain tank drain signal for draining drain water contained in the drain tank through the drain tank drain line is input, if the hot water drain process is in progress, drives the drain pump after the hot water drain process is completed to perform the drain tank drain process; and when the hot water drain process is not in progress, drives the drain pump and closes the supply valve to perform the drain tank drain process.

[0028] And, the control unit, when the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, opens the hot water drain valve and closes the supply valve to perform the hot water drain process, and after the hot water drain process is completed, opens the supply valve again to perform the living water drain process, and when the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, drives the drain pump and closes the supply valve to perform the drain tank drain process, and after the drain tank drain process is completed, opens the supply valve again to perform the living water drain process, and when the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed, opens the hot water drain valve to perform the hot water drain process and maintains the closed state of the supply valve, and when the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed, drives the drain pump and maintains the closed state of the supply valve to perform the drain tank drain. The process can be carried out.

[0029] Meanwhile, the above drain tank can store the amount of drain initially drained from the instantaneous heating device after a hot water extraction signal is input.

[0030] In addition, a water purifier according to one aspect of the present invention further includes an ice-making unit that creates ice through purified water filtered in the filter unit; and an ice storage unit that stores ice created in the ice-making unit; and the drain tank can store drain water drained from the ice storage unit.

[0031]

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, the draining of various drain numbers is performed sequentially in a preset order rather than simultaneously, thereby obtaining the effect that the draining can be performed stably and smoothly.

[0033] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by controlling the drainage of the drain water drained from the instantaneous heating device to have the highest priority, it is possible to obtain an effect of preventing an explosion (burst) or non-extraction of hot water of the instantaneous heating device that may occur due to a failure in the drainage of the drain water drained from the instantaneous heating device.

[0034] And, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by controlling the drainage of drain water from the drain tank to have priority over the drainage of domestic water, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing water overflow from the drain tank and safety accidents such as electric shock or fire caused by a defective drainage of drain water from the drain tank.

[0035]

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic water piping diagram of a water purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a water piping diagram showing the water flow when filtration of raw water and extraction of purified / cold water are performed in the water purifier shown in Fig. 1.

[0038] Figure 3 is a water piping diagram showing the water flow when hot water is extracted from the water purifier shown in Figure 1.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a water piping diagram showing the water flow when ice making is performed in the water purifier shown in Fig. 1.

[0040] Figure 5 is a water piping diagram for explaining the priorities of the domestic water drain process and the hot water drain process in the water purifier illustrated in Figure 1.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic water piping diagram of a water purifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a water piping diagram showing the water flow when filtration of raw water and extraction of purified / cold water are performed in the water purifier shown in Fig. 6.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a water piping diagram showing the water flow when hot water is extracted from the water purifier shown in Fig. 6.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a water piping diagram showing the water flow when ice making is performed in the water purifier shown in Fig. 6.

[0045] Figure 10 is a water piping diagram showing the flow of drain water flowing into the drain tank and the flow of drain water drained from the drain tank in the water purifier shown in Figure 6.

[0046] Figure 11 is a water piping diagram for explaining the priorities of the living water drain process, hot water drain process, and drain tank drain process in the water purifier illustrated in Figure 6.

[0047]

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0049] Additionally, in this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the same reference numerals throughout the specification refer to the same component or corresponding components.

[0050]

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0052] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a water purifier (100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic piping diagram of a water purifier (100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a piping diagram showing the water flow when filtration of raw water and extraction of purified / cold water are performed in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a piping diagram showing the water flow when hot water is extracted in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a piping diagram showing the water flow when ice making is performed in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a piping diagram for explaining the priorities of a domestic water drain process (② of FIG. 5) and a hot water drain process (① of FIG. 5) in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 1.

[0054]

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, a water purifier (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a filter unit (110), a supply pump (130), an instantaneous heating device (140), an extraction member (170), various valves (FV, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5), and a flow path and control unit (C), and may additionally include a water tank unit (120), an ice making unit (150), an ice storage unit (160), a flow sensor (FS), etc.

[0056] The filter unit (110) filters the raw water supplied through the raw water supply path (L0) to produce purified water, and is configured to include a reverse osmosis membrane filter (113). The filter unit (110) may be configured to include a plurality of filters, similar to a conventional water purifier (100), and may include, for example, a pre-filter (111), a reverse osmosis membrane filter (113), and a post-filter (115). The pre-filter (111) may be formed as a composite filter of a sediment filter and a pre-carbon filter, and the post-filter (115) may be formed as a post-carbon filter, etc. However, the filters provided in the filter unit (110) according to the present invention can be variously changed through known filters, except for the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113).

[0057] A supply valve (FV) that opens and closes to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) is provided at the front end of the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113).

[0058] A filter unit (110) is provided with a filter unit path (L1) that connects multiple filters to each other, and a water drain line (DL1) is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) through which water (concentrated water) that does not pass through the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) is drained. Meanwhile, the term "drained" in the present specification and patent claims is defined to mean that wastewater (drain water, water for living, etc.) is discarded through various drain lines.

[0059]

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, raw water supplied to the filter unit (110) through the raw water supply path (L0) is filtered in the filter unit (110), and purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) can be stored in the water tank unit (120) through the purified water intake path (L2). At this time, the water tank unit (120) can be configured to include a purified water tank (121) that stores purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) at room temperature, and a cold water tank (125) that cools and stores the purified water. The purified water at room temperature contained in the purified water tank (121) is discharged through the purified water discharge path (L3), the path connecting member (F1), and the purified water extraction path (L4) through the extraction member (170) formed of a faucet or a cock, etc., when the purified water extraction valve (V2) is opened. In addition, the cold water contained in the cold water tank (125) is drained through the cold water extraction path (L5) and the extraction member (170) by opening the cold water extraction valve (V1). Meanwhile, the domestic water (concentrated water) that does not pass through the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) is drained through the main drain line (DLM) formed by joining the domestic water drain line (DL1) and various drain lines.

[0061]

[0062] Referring to Figure 3, the water flow during hot water extraction and the water flow during drainage of drain water generated from the instantaneous heating device (140) are described.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) is directly or indirectly supplied to the instantaneous heating device (140), heated, and then discharged. That is, purified water supplied to the instantaneous heating device (140) may be purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) and supplied directly, but as illustrated in FIG. 3, purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) may be stored in the purification tank (121) and then supplied indirectly.

[0064] When a hot water extraction signal is input by the user, the control unit (C) drives the supply pump (130), heats the instantaneous heating device (140), and opens the hot water extraction valve (V3), and accordingly, the purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) flows into the supply pump (130) through the purified water tank (121), purified water extraction path (L3), and purified water supply path (L6).

[0065] Since the instantaneous heating device (140) may generate steam due to overheating, the instantaneous heating device (140) is installed lower than the extraction member (170) to ensure safety in use of the instantaneous heating device (140). Therefore, in order to extract hot water through the extraction member (170), it is necessary to pressurize water through the supply pump (130) and supply it to the instantaneous heating device (140).

[0066] The pressurized purified water from the supply pump (130) flows into the inlet (141) of the instantaneous heating device (140) through the connecting member (F2) and the hot water inlet channel (L6b), is heated, and then discharged through the outlet (142). When a hot water extraction signal is input, the instantaneous heating device (140) performs a heating operation by the control unit (C), and accordingly, the instantaneous heating device (140) heats the purified water flowing into the inlet (141) and into the outlet (142), so that hot water is discharged through the outlet (142).

[0067] Hot water discharged through the outlet (142) can be extracted through the hot water discharge channel (L7) and the hot water extraction channel (L8) through the extraction member (170).

[0068] At this time, in order to control heating according to the flow rate of purified water flowing into the instantaneous heating device (140), a flow sensor (FS) that measures the flow rate flowing into the instantaneous heating device (140) may be installed at the front end of the instantaneous heating device (140). The control unit (C) performs voltage and / or current control applied to the heater provided in the instantaneous heating device (140) based on the flow rate measured by the flow sensor (FS) and the temperature of purified water on the inlet (141) side and / or the temperature of hot water on the outlet (142) side measured by the temperature sensor (not shown).

[0069] Meanwhile, when the operation of the instantaneous heating device (140) is performed after the hot water extraction signal is input, the temperature of the water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device (140) is low, so the hot water drain valve (V5) can be opened to drain the purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device (140) according to a preset first drainage condition (e.g., preset flow rate or time). In addition, when a hot water extraction end signal is input due to the user stopping hot water extraction or completion of extraction of a preset amount of hot water, the hot water drain valve (V5) can be opened to drain the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device (140) according to a preset second drainage condition (e.g., preset flow rate or time).

[0070] In this way, the drain water (waste water) drained from the instantaneous heating device (140) can be drained through the main drain line (DLM) in which the hot water drain line (DL2) and the living water drain line (DL1) and the hot water drain line (DL2) are joined through the flow connection member (F4) when the hot water drain valve (V5) is opened, as indicated by the dotted line 'hot water drain' in FIG. 3.

[0071]

[0072] Next, the water flow during ice making will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 4, a water purifier (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an ice making unit (150) that generates ice and an ice storage unit (160) that stores ice.

[0074] The ice-making unit (150) cools the supplied water using a known cooling system to produce ice. The ice-making unit (150) may use various known methods, such as an immersion ice-making method, a spray ice-making method, a flowing ice-making method, and an auger ice-making method. In addition, the cooling system for ice production may use a traditional cooling system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, but is not limited thereto, and a cooling method using a thermoelectric module may also be used.

[0075] The ice making unit (150) is supplied with purified water filtered by the filter unit (110) directly or indirectly, and the ice making unit (150) creates ice using the purified water filtered by the filter unit (110). That is, the purified water supplied to the ice making unit (150) may be purified water filtered by the filter unit (110) directly supplied, but as illustrated in FIG. 4, purified water filtered by the filter unit (110) may be stored in the purified water tank (121) and then supplied indirectly.

[0076] When an ice-making start signal is generated due to insufficient ice in the ice storage (170), the control unit (C) drives the supply pump (130) and opens the ice-making water supply valve (V4), and accordingly, the purified water filtered in the filter unit (110) flows into the supply pump (130) through the purified water tank (121), purified water discharge channel (L3), and purified water supply channel (L6), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0077] If the water tank (121) is not located higher than the ice-making water supply port (151) of the ice-making unit (150), that is, if the water tank (121) and the ice-making water supply port (151) are located approximately horizontally, the ice-making water (purified water) is not supplied simply by opening the ice-making water supply valve (V4). Therefore, in order to supply ice-making water to the ice-making water supply port (151), the supply pump (130) is driven to pressurize the water and supply it to the ice-making unit (150).

[0078] The pressurized purified water from the supply pump (130) flows into the ice-making water inlet (151) through the euro connection member (F2) and the ice-making unit inlet channel (L6a) and is supplied to the ice-making unit (150).

[0079] Ice generated in the ice making unit (150) can be stored in the ice storage unit (160) through a deicing process. For this deicing, a method of supplying hot gas, which is a high-temperature refrigerant, to the evaporator can be used, but a method of heating the evaporator using a heater can also be used.

[0080] The above ice storage (160) is located at the bottom of the ice making unit (150) and stores the defrostered ice, and the ice stored in the ice storage (160) can be provided to the user through the ice extraction port (165).

[0081]

[0082] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the priorities of the living water drain process (② of FIG. 5) and the hot water drain process (① of FIG. 5) by the control unit (C) will be described.

[0083] The control unit (C) can control the opening and closing of the hot water drain line (DL2) and the living water drain line (DL1) so that the hot water drain process (①) is performed in preference to the living water drain process (②) among the hot water drain process (① in FIG. 5) in which the drain water of the instantaneous heating device (140) is drained through the hot water drain line (DL2) during hot water extraction as illustrated in FIG. 3, and the living water drain process (② in FIG. 5) in which the living water that is not filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) is drained through the living water drain line (DL1) during the process of filtering raw water to produce purified water as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0084] Specifically, when a hot water drain signal is input to drain water drained from an instantaneous heating device (140) through a hot water drain line (DL2), the control unit (C) opens the hot water drain valve (V5) to perform the hot water drain process (①) and closes the supply valve (FV) to prevent water from flowing into the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) so that the living water drain process (②) is not performed, thereby allowing the hot water drain process (①) to be performed first.

[0085] In addition, when a hot water drain signal is input during the process of performing the living water drain process (②) in which the supply valve (FV) is opened to generate purified water and the living water that is not filtered in the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) is drained through the living water drain line (DL1), the control unit (C) opens the hot water drain valve (V5) and closes the supply valve (FV) so that the hot water drain process (①) is performed prioritizing the living water drain process (②), and after the hot water drain process (①) is completed, the supply valve (FV) is opened again so that the living water drain process (②) is performed. That is, when the condition in which the hot water drain process (①) and the living water drain process (②) are performed simultaneously is met, the control unit (C) controls the opening and closing of the flow path so that the hot water drain process (①) is performed first and then the living water drain process (②) is performed.

[0086] In addition, when a hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed and no purified water is generated, the control unit (C) can open the hot water drain valve (V5) to perform the hot water drain process and maintain the supply valve (FV) in a closed state.

[0087] In addition, the control unit (C) can drive the supply pump (130) when a hot water drain signal is input to supply purified water to the water inlet (141) of the instantaneous heating device (140).

[0088] At this time, the hot water drain signal may include at least one of an initial drain signal for draining purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device (140) through the hot water drain line (DL2) according to a first drain condition set in advance when a hot water extraction signal is input by the user, and a terminal drain signal for draining hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device (140) through the hot water drain line (DL2) according to a second drain condition set in advance when a hot water extraction end signal is input due to the user stopping hot water extraction or completing extraction of a set amount of hot water. Here, the first drain condition and the second drain condition may be set to a preset flow rate or a preset time, and the values ​​of both may be the same or different.

[0089] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 2 and 5, the case where the supply valve (FV) is closed to prevent the domestic water drain process (②) from being performed is exemplified, but the domestic water drain process (②) may also be stopped by installing a separate domestic water drain valve (not shown) in the domestic water drain line (DL1) and closing the domestic water drain valve.

[0090]

[0091] In this way, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the hot water drain process (①) for draining the drain water of the instantaneous heating device (140) through the hot water drain line (DL2) during hot water extraction is performed prior to the living water drain process (②) for draining the living water that is not filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filter (113) through the living water drain line (DL1) during the process of filtering raw water to produce purified water, thereby preventing the hot water drain process (①) and the living water drain process (②) from being performed simultaneously, and thereby enabling the draining of the drain water of the instantaneous heating device (140) to be performed smoothly and stably.

[0092] Accordingly, when a hot water extraction signal is input by a user and the instantaneous heating device (140) is operated, it is possible to prevent hot water from not being drained in the process of draining the drain water (waste water) discharged from the instantaneous heating device (140) according to preset conditions (e.g. preset flow rate), and it is possible to prevent serious accidents such as explosion of the instantaneous heating device (140) from occurring due to the heating of the water contained in the instantaneous heating device (140) continuing in a state where hot water extraction is not performed and the instantaneous heating device (140) becoming overheated.

[0093]

[0094] Next, a water purifier (100) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11.

[0095] FIG. 6 is a schematic water pipe diagram of a water purifier (100) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a water pipe diagram showing the water flow when filtration of raw water and extraction of purified / cold water are performed in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a water pipe diagram showing the water flow when hot water is extracted in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a water pipe diagram showing the water flow when ice making is performed in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10 is a water pipe diagram showing the flow of drain water flowing into a drain tank (180) in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 6 and the flow of drain water drained from the drain tank (180), and FIG. 11 is a water pipe diagram showing the water drain process (③ of FIG. 11), the hot water drain process (① of FIG. 11), and the drain tank drain process in the water purifier (100) shown in FIG. 6. This is a piping diagram to explain the priority of the process (② in Fig. 11).

[0096]

[0097] The water purifier (100) according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 11 differs from the water purifier (100) according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 only in that it additionally includes a drain tank (180) for storing drain water generated inside the water purifier (100), a drain tank drain line (DL3) through which the drain water contained in the drain tank (180) is drained, and a drain pump (190) provided in the drain tank drain line (DL3) and operating to drain the drain water contained in the drain tank (180). Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication, a detailed description of the same or similar configuration as that of the water purifier (100) according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be omitted, and the description in the first embodiment will be replaced.

[0098] First, the water flow in the case where the filtration of raw water and extraction of purified / cold water are performed as shown in Fig. 7 is the same as the water flow described based on Fig. 2, so a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0099] In addition, in the case of the water flow in which hot water is extracted as shown in Fig. 8, the water flow is the same as the water flow described based on Fig. 3, so a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0100] Next, the water flow in the case of ice making as shown in Fig. 9 is identical to the water flow in the case of ice making explained based on Fig. 4, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in the case of Fig. 8, there is a difference in that a drain tank (180) is additionally provided so that drain water from the ice storage can be supplied to the drain tank (180).

[0101] The lower part of the ice storage (160) may be provided with a melt water drain (161) through which melt water (thaw water) stored in the ice storage (160) is discharged. The melt water drain (161) is connected to the melt water inlet (181) of the drain tank (180) through a melt water drain line (D1), and the melt water (drain water) discharged through the melt water drain (161) can be stored in the drain tank (180).

[0102] In addition, the ice storage (160) may be equipped with an ice extraction port (165) through which ice is discharged to the outside, and an extraction port-side drain port (162) may be equipped adjacent to the ice extraction port (165) to allow water formed around the ice extraction port (165) to be drained to the outside. The extraction port-side drain port (162) may function to drain various drain waters (waste water) formed around the ice extraction port (165), such as water generated by condensation due to a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the ice extraction port (165) or water melted from ice pieces existing around the ice extraction port (165), to the outside. The extraction port-side drain port (162) may be formed on the lower side of the ice storage (160) adjacent to the ice extraction port (165), as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9. In addition, the drain port (162) on the extraction port side is connected to the inlet port (182) on the extraction port side of the drain tank (180) through the drain port side drain line (D2), and the drain water drained from the drain port (162) on the extraction port side can be stored in the drain tank (180).

[0103]

[0104] Referring to Fig. 10, the flow of drain water flowing into the drain tank (180) and the flow of drain water drained from the drain tank (180) will be described. As described with reference to Fig. 9, the drain tank (180) can accommodate drain water drained from the melt water drain outlet (161) and / or the drain outlet-side drain outlet (162) of the ice storage (160).

[0105] In addition, the drain tank (180) can also accommodate the drained water from the instantaneous heating device (140). Specifically, when the instantaneous heating device (140) is operated after a hot water extraction signal is input, the temperature of the water initially discharged from the instantaneous heating device (140) is low, so the purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device (140) can be supplied to the drain tank (180) according to a first drainage condition that is preset (for example, a preset flow rate or time). At this time, the drained water drained from the instantaneous heating device (140) to the hot water discharge channel (L7) can flow into the drain tank (180) through the flow connection member (F3), a part of the hot water tank drain line (DL2), the flow connection member (F5), and the hot water drain line (D3), as illustrated in FIG. 10, and then through the hot water drain inlet (183) of the drain tank (180).

[0106] Meanwhile, when a signal to terminate hot water extraction is input due to the user's hot water extraction stoppage or completion of extraction of a set amount of hot water, the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device (140) may be drained according to a preset second drainage condition (e.g., preset flow rate or time). In this case, the temperature of the water drained from the instantaneous heating device (140) is high, which may cause damage to the drain tank (180), so it is preferable to drain the water directly through the hot water drain line (DL2) rather than storing it in the drain tank (180).

[0107] And, the drain tank (180) is equipped with a water level sensor (not shown) that can detect the water level inside, and when the water level of the drain tank (180) corresponds to a certain water level (e.g., full water level), a drain tank drain signal can be generated to drain the drain water contained in the drain tank (180) through the drain tank drain line (DL3), and when the drain tank drain signal is input, the control unit (C) performs the drain tank drain process (② of FIG. 11). This drain tank drain process (②) can be performed until the water level of the drain tank (180) corresponds to a certain water level (e.g., low water level). In order to perform this drain tank drain process (②), the control unit (C) operates the drain pump (190) connected to the drain outlet (184) of the drain tank (180). When the drain tank drain process (②) is performed, the drain water contained in the drain tank (180) can be drained through the drain outlet (184), drain pump (190), drain tank drain line (DL3), and flow path connecting member (F6, F4) to the main drain line (DLM).

[0108]

[0109] Lastly, referring to Fig. 11, the priorities of the living water drain process (③ of Fig. 11), the hot water drain process (① of Fig. 11), and the drain tank drain process (② of Fig. 11) are explained.

[0110] The control unit (C) controls the opening and closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain line (DL2), the living water drain line (DL1), and the drain tank drain line (DL3) so that the drain work is performed in the order of the hot water drain process (①), the drain tank drain process (②), and the living water drain process (③) among the hot water drain process (①), the drain tank drain process (②), and the living water drain process (③) among the hot water drain process (①), the living water drain process (DL1), and the drain tank drain process (DL3) as shown in FIG. 7, in which the drain water contained in the drain tank (180) is drained through the drain tank drain line (DL3). It becomes controlled.

[0111] That is, when two or more drain processes are performed simultaneously among the hot water drain process (①), the drain tank drain process (②), and the living water drain process (③), the control unit (C) performs the hot water drain process (①) with the highest priority, performs the drain tank drain process (②) when the hot water drain process (①) is not performed, and performs the living water drain process (③) when the hot water drain process (①) and the drain tank drain process (②) are not performed.

[0112] Specifically, when a hot water drain signal is input to drain the drain water drained from the instantaneous heating device (140) through the hot water drain line (DL2), the control unit (C) can open the hot water drain valve (V5), prevent the drain pump (190) from operating, and close the supply valve (FV) to ensure that the hot water drain process (①) is performed with the highest priority.

[0113] In addition, when a drain tank drain signal for draining drain water contained in a drain tank (180) through a drain tank drain line (DL3) is input, if the hot water drain process (①) is in progress, the control unit (C) can drive the drain pump (190) after the hot water drain process (①) is completed to perform the drain tank drain process (②), and if the hot water drain process (①) is not in progress, the control unit (C) can drive the drain pump (190) and close the supply valve (FV) to perform the drain tank drain process (②).

[0114]

[0115] And, the control unit (C) can open the hot water drain valve (V5) and close the supply valve (FV) when a hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve (FV) is open to perform the hot water drain process (①), and after the hot water drain process (①) is completed, open the supply valve again to perform the living water drain process (③).

[0116] In addition, the control unit (C) may operate the drain pump (190) and close the supply valve (FV) when a drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve (FV) is open to perform the drain tank drain process (②), and after the drain tank drain process (②) is completed, open the supply valve (FV) again to perform the living water drain process (③).

[0117] In addition, the control unit (C) can open the hot water drain valve (V5) when a hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve (FV) is closed to perform the hot water drain process (①) and maintain the supply valve (FV) in a closed state.

[0118] In addition, the control unit (C) can drive the drain pump (190) when a drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve (FV) is closed and maintain the supply valve (FV) in a closed state so that the drain tank drain process (②) is performed.

[0119] In addition, the control unit (C) can drive the supply pump (130) when a hot water drain signal is input to supply purified water to the water inlet (141) of the instantaneous heating device (140).

[0120] At this time, the hot water drain signal may include a terminal drain signal that drains the hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device (140) through the hot water drain line (DL2) according to a preset second drain condition when a hot water extraction end signal is input. Here, the second drain condition may be set to a preset flow rate or a preset time.

[0121] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 7 and 11, an example is given of closing the supply valve (FV) to prevent the domestic water drain process (③) from being performed, but the cessation of the domestic water drain process (③) may also be performed by installing a separate domestic water drain valve (not shown) in the domestic water drain line (DL1) and closing the domestic water drain valve.

[0122]

[0123] In this way, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, among the hot water drain process (①) that occurs when extracting hot water, the domestic water drain process (③) that occurs when producing purified water, and the drain tank drain process (②) that occurs when the drain tank (180) is full, the drain work is performed in the order of the hot water drain process (①), the drain tank drain process (②), and the domestic water drain process (③), thereby preventing two or more drain processes from being performed simultaneously among the hot water drain process (①), the drain tank drain process (②), and the domestic water drain process (③). In addition, in the case where two or more drain processes are performed simultaneously, the drain process according to priority is performed first and the remaining processes are performed sequentially, thereby allowing the drainage of the drain water of the instantaneous heating device (140) to be performed smoothly and stably. Accordingly, when a hot water extraction signal is input by a user and the instantaneous heating device (140) is operated, it is possible to prevent hot water from not being drained in the process of draining the drain water (waste water) discharged from the instantaneous heating device (140) according to preset conditions (e.g. preset flow rate), and it is possible to prevent serious accidents such as explosion of the instantaneous heating device (140) from occurring due to the heating of the water contained in the instantaneous heating device (140) continuing in a state where hot water extraction is not performed and the instantaneous heating device (140) becoming overheated.

[0124] In addition, by controlling the drainage of the drain water contained in the drain tank (180) to have priority over the drainage of living water, it is possible to prevent safety accidents such as overflow of water in the drain tank (180) and electric shock or fire caused by the overflow of water in the drain tank (180) that may occur due to a defective drainage of the drain water drained from the drain tank (180).

[0125]

[0126] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention described in the claims.

[0127] Additionally, in the embodiments of the present invention, some components may be implemented in a deleted state, and the configurations of each embodiment may be configured by combining each other.

[0128]

[0129] [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 100... water purifier, 110... filter unit,

[0131] 111... pre-filter, 113... reverse osmosis membrane filter,

[0132] 115... post filter, 120... water tank,

[0133] 121... water tank, 125... cold water tank,

[0134] 130... supply pump, 140... instantaneous heating device,

[0135] 141... inlet, 142... outlet,

[0136] 150... ice making unit, 151... ice making water supply port,

[0137] 160... ice storage, 161... melt water drain,

[0138] 162... Drain on the extraction side, 165... Ice extraction outlet,

[0139] 170... Extraction member, 180... Drain tank,

[0140] 181... melt water inlet, 182... extraction side inlet,

[0141] 183... hot water drain inlet, 184... drain outlet,

[0142] 190... drain pump, C... control unit,

[0143] D1... melt water drainage line, D2... extraction outlet side drainage line,

[0144] D3... Hot water drain line, DL1... Domestic water drain line,

[0145] DL2... hot water drain line, DL3... drain tank drain line,

[0146] DLM... Main drain line, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6... Euro connection member,

[0147] FS... flow sensor, FV... supply valve,

[0148] L0... raw water supply path, L1... filter section path,

[0149] L2... as a pure water import, L3... as a pure water export,

[0150] L4... water extraction path, L5... cold water extraction path,

[0151] L6... water supply path, L6a... ice making unit inlet path,

[0152] L6b... hot water inlet, L7... hot water outlet,

[0153] L8... hot water extraction path, V1... cold water extraction valve,

[0154] V2... water extraction valve, V3... hot water extraction valve,

[0155] V4... Ice-making water supply valve, V5... Hot water drain valve

Claims

1. A filter unit having a reverse osmosis membrane filter for producing purified water; A supply valve that opens and closes to supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter; An instantaneous heating device having an inlet through which purified water filtered in the above filter section is supplied, and an outlet through which purified water is heated and discharged, and which heats purified water flowing into the inlet and flowing into the outlet to discharge hot water through the outlet; An extraction member provided for extracting hot water discharged from the above instantaneous heating device; A supply pump that operates to supply purified water to the water inlet of the instantaneous heating device; A drain line for domestic water that is discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane filter; A hot water drain line through which the drain water drained from the above instantaneous heating device is drained; A hot water drain valve provided in the above hot water drain line to open and close the above hot water drain line; and A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain line and the living water drain line so that the hot water drain process is performed first among the hot water drain process through the hot water drain line and the living water drain process through the living water drain line; Water purifier containing .

2. In paragraph 1, A water purifier in which the control unit, when a hot water drain signal is input to drain the drain water drained from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line, opens the hot water drain valve and closes the supply valve to perform the hot water drain process.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, When the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, the hot water drain valve is opened and the supply valve is closed so that the hot water drain process is performed, and after the hot water drain process is completed, the supply valve is opened again so that the living water drain process is performed. A water purifier that opens the hot water drain valve when the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed to perform the hot water drain process and maintains the supply valve in a closed state.

4. In paragraph 2 or 3, A water purifier in which the control unit operates the supply pump to supply purified water to the water inlet when the hot water drain signal is input.

5. In paragraph 4, The above hot water drain signal is, An initial drain signal for draining purified water initially supplied to the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line according to a preset first drain condition when a hot water extraction signal is input, A water purifier including at least one terminal drain signal for draining hot water remaining in the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line according to a preset second drain condition when a hot water extraction termination signal is input.

6. In paragraph 1, A drain tank that stores the drain water generated inside the water purifier; A drain tank drain line through which the drain water contained in the above drain tank is drained; and A drain pump provided in the drain line of the above drain tank and operating to drain the drain water contained in the above drain tank; In addition, it includes: The above control unit is a water purifier that controls the opening and closing of the flow paths of the hot water drain line, the domestic water drain line, and the drain tank drain line so that, among the hot water drain process, the domestic water drain process, and the drain tank drain process through the drain tank drain line, the drain work is performed in the order of the hot water drain process, the drain tank drain process, and the domestic water drain process.

7. In paragraph 6, The above control unit, When a hot water drain signal is input to drain the drain water from the instantaneous heating device through the hot water drain line, the hot water drain valve is opened, the drain pump is prevented from operating, and the supply valve is closed to perform the hot water drain process. A water purifier that, when a drain tank drain signal is input to drain the drain water contained in the drain tank through the drain tank drain line, if the hot water drain process is in progress, drives the drain pump after the hot water drain process is completed so that the drain tank drain process is performed, and if the hot water drain process is not in progress, drives the drain pump and closes the supply valve so that the drain tank drain process is performed.

8. In paragraph 7, The above control unit, When the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is open, the hot water drain valve is opened and the supply valve is closed so that the hot water drain process is performed, and after the hot water drain process is completed, the supply valve is opened again so that the living water drain process is performed. When the supply valve is open and the drain tank drain signal is input, the drain pump is driven and the supply valve is closed to perform the drain tank drain process, and after the drain tank drain process is completed, the supply valve is opened again to perform the living water drain process. When the hot water drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed, the hot water drain valve is opened to perform the hot water drain process and the supply valve is maintained in a closed state. A water purifier that operates the drain pump when the drain tank drain signal is input while the supply valve is closed and maintains the supply valve in a closed state so that the drain tank drain process is performed.

9. In any one of paragraphs 6 to 8, The above drain tank is a water purifier that stores the drain water initially drained from the instantaneous heating device after a hot water extraction signal is input.

10. In any one of paragraphs 6 to 8, An ice-making unit that creates ice through purified water filtered from the above filter unit; and An ice storage unit for storing ice generated in the above ice making unit; In addition, it includes: The above drain tank is a water purifier that stores drain water drained from the ice storage.