Water dispensing device

Abstract

A water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a filter for filtering raw water to generate purified water; a water outlet through which the purified water is discharged; a water outlet sterilization module including a light source for irradiating ultraviolet light to the water outlet; and a control unit for controlling the light source, the control unit being capable of preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in the water outlet by continuously applying pulses at a preset reference frequency to drive the light source.

Description

water dispensing device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water dispensing device and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to a water dispensing device that sterilizes a water outlet with ultraviolet rays and an operating method thereof.

[0002] A water dispensing device is a device that supplies water and can dispense a desired amount of water at a desired temperature according to the user's operation. Such devices can be applied to a variety of fields, but are most commonly used in refrigerators and water purifiers. In particular, water dispensing devices installed in refrigerators and water purifiers are configured to supply a preset amount of water according to the user's operation. Recently, water dispensing devices capable of supplying not only purified water but also cold and hot water have been developed.

[0003] For example, a water purifier is connected to a water source, such as a tap, to receive raw water. It uses a filter to remove suspended solids and harmful substances from the raw water. It then purifies and dispenses the desired amount of water according to the user's instructions. A variety of purifiers are available, capable of not only purifying the water but also heating or cooling it to provide cold or hot water. Recently, smaller water purifiers that can be installed in a variety of environments have been developed.

[0004] Prolonged use of water dispensing devices can lead to the proliferation or contamination of microorganisms in pipes, valves, and outlets. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain water dispensing devices hygienically and ensure their water purification quality.

[0005] Prior art, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0134808, discloses a water purifier that sterilizes a water tank with ultraviolet rays and an operating method thereof. This document sterilizes the water tank and the water within it by irradiating ultraviolet rays at predetermined cycles. In this document, a UV sterilization unit is operated for a preset operating time at each preset cycle, and the UV sterilization unit does not irradiate ultraviolet rays until the next preset cycle begins.

[0006] The problem that the present disclosure seeks to solve is to provide a water dispensing device that can manage internal hygiene and supply clean water by sterilizing the water outlet.

[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a water dispensing device capable of preventing exposure of a user to ultraviolet rays.

[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a water dispensing device including a water outlet sterilization module with improved light output and lifespan.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a water dispensing device capable of continuously maintaining initial sterilizing performance.

[0010] In order to achieve the above task, a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent bacteria from growing in the water outlet by continuously sterilizing the water outlet with ultraviolet rays without any downtime.

[0011] In order to achieve the above task, a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can improve safety by turning off an ultraviolet light source when discharging water, thereby preventing ultraviolet rays from being exposed to the outside.

[0012] In order to achieve the above task, a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the lifespan and sterilization performance by controlling an ultraviolet light source with a pulse having a predetermined frequency and managing the light source temperature within a predetermined range.

[0013] A water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a filter that filters raw water to produce purified water, a water outlet through which the purified water is discharged, a water outlet sterilization module including a light source that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the water outlet, and a control unit that controls the light source.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit can prevent bacteria from growing in the outlet by continuously applying pulses at a preset reference frequency to drive the light source.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit controls a first period in which a pulse for driving the light source is supplied to be longer than a second period in which the pulse is not supplied.

[0016] The above control unit can set the second section corresponding to the time at which the purified water is discharged through the outlet.

[0017] The above control unit can set the second section to 0 and control the light source during a time when the purified water is not discharged through the outlet.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit can control the light source to enter an automatic sterilization mode when the product is turned on and to continuously sterilize the water outlet without a downtime.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit drives the light source by applying a pulse, and the temperature of the light source increases from an initial temperature to a first temperature and is maintained within a predetermined range at the first temperature.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference frequency can be set within a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz.

[0021] The above reference frequency can be set within the range of 7.8 Hz to 13 Hz.

[0022] The above control unit can increase the duty ratio of the pulse applied to the light source based on the accumulated usage time of the light source.

[0023] The above control unit can control the light source to be off while the purified water is discharged through the outlet.

[0024] The above control unit can control the light source to continuously sterilize the water outlet again without a downtime if the time for which the purified water is not discharged through the water outlet is longer than the non-discharge time setting time.

[0025] The above-mentioned water outlet sterilization module further includes a printed circuit board arranged so that the bottom surface faces the water outlet, and the light source can be mounted on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board.

[0026] The above-mentioned water outlet sterilization module may further include a protective window made of a light-transmitting material provided on the lower side of the light source and a sealer surrounding the edge of the transparent plate.

[0027] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by sterilizing the water outlet, internal hygiene can be managed and clean water can be supplied.

[0028] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, safety can be improved by preventing exposure of a user to ultraviolet rays.

[0029] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an outlet sterilization module having improved light output and lifespan can be provided.

[0030] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a water dispensing device can be provided that can continuously maintain initial sterilizing performance even after long-term use.

[0031] Meanwhile, various other effects will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description according to the embodiments of the present disclosure to be described later.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water dispensing module of a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the main configuration of a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are drawings for reference in the description of sterilization logic and pulse according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIGS. 7 to 19 are drawings for reference in explaining an operation method of a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038]

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various forms.

[0040] In the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted in order to clearly and concisely explain the present disclosure, and the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same or extremely similar parts throughout the specification.

[0041] Meanwhile, the suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following description are given solely for the convenience of writing this specification, and do not impart any particularly significant meaning or role to them. Therefore, the terms "module" and "part" may be used interchangeably.

[0042] Additionally, while terms such as "first" and "second" may be used in this specification to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a water dispensing device (10) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, but is not limited to, a direct-flow hot and cold water purifier that cools or heats water supplied directly from an external water source and dispenses it. That is, the sterilizing mechanism of the present disclosure may also be applied to a water purifier equipped with a water reservoir.

[0045] In detail, the water dispensing device (10) may include a base (11) forming a bottom portion, a housing (12) placed on the upper edge of the base (11), a cover (13) covering the opened upper surface of the housing (12), a control panel (14) formed on the upper surface of the cover (13), and a water discharge module (40) protruding from the outer surface of the housing (12).

[0046] In more detail, the part where the water discharge module (40) is formed may be defined as the front side of the water dispensing device (10), and the opposite side may be defined as the back side.

[0047] In addition, the control panel (14) may be formed at a position close to the front end of the water dispensing device (10), and may also be formed at a position close to the center or rear end of the upper surface of the water dispensing device (10) depending on design conditions. In addition, the control panel (14) may be formed to be inclined so that it becomes higher toward the rear so as to be easily recognized by the eyes of a user positioned in front of the water dispensing module (40).

[0048] In detail, the control panel (14) may include a panel body (141) whose rear end protrudes higher than the front end from the upper surface of the water dispensing device (10), and a panel cover (142) covering the upper surface of the panel body (141). In addition, the control panel (14) may be provided with a plurality of operation buttons including a power button. For example, the operation buttons provided on the control panel (14) may include a power button, a water dispensing button, a button for selecting the type of water to be dispensed, a button for setting the temperature of the water, and a button for setting the amount of water dispensed.

[0049] In addition, the water discharge module (40) can be extended forward by a predetermined length from the front end of the water dispensing device (10), and can be mounted so as to be rotatable within a range of 90 degrees to the left and right from the center of the front end of the water dispensing device (10). That is, the water discharge module (40) can rotate a total of 180 degrees. Of course, the water discharge module (40) can also be fixed to the front of the housing (12).

[0050] In addition, a rotation guide (16) in the shape of a circular belt may be mounted on the rear end of the water outlet module (40) so that the water outlet module (40) can rotate. The water outlet module (40) and the rotation guide (16) may be injection-molded as a single body, or may be formed as separate parts and joined as a single body by a fastening member.

[0051] In addition, a guide hole (121) that guides the rotation of the water discharge module (40) may be formed on the front of the housing (12), and the water discharge module (40) can rotate 90 degrees to the left and right along the guide hole (121). The water discharge module (40) may include a case (401).

[0052] In addition, a proximity sensor (50) that detects the user's approach is mounted on the front of the housing (12), so that when a user approaches the water dispensing device (10) during sterilization, this can be detected and transmitted to the control unit (see 260 in FIG. 4) of the water dispensing device (10). In some cases, the control unit (260) may be provided inside the control panel (14).

[0053] In addition, a tray (122) is mounted on the front lower portion of the housing (12) so as to capture a portion of the water discharged from the water discharge module (40) or water droplets falling from the water discharge module (40). The tray (122) can also be designed to be rotatable at a predetermined angle in the left and right directions, similar to the water discharge module (40).

[0054] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water dispensing module of a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, a water outlet module (40) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a case (401), a water cock (45) accommodated inside the case (401), a water outlet sterilization module (41) for sterilizing the inside of the water cock (45), and a safety guide (49) mounted on the water cock (45).

[0056] In detail, the water cock (45) may include an inlet (46) extending horizontally, an outlet (48) extending vertically from an end of the inlet (46), and a waterproof unit mounting portion (47) formed at the upper end of the outlet (48). The waterproof unit mounting portion (47) may be formed as one body with the outlet (48) and may be fixed to the bottom surface of the outlet sterilization module (41).

[0057] Alternatively, the waterproof unit mounting portion (47) may be provided as an independent component, with the upper and lower surfaces being fixed to the lower surface of the water outlet sterilization module (41) and the upper surface of the water outlet (48), respectively. In order to minimize water leakage, it may be preferable for the waterproof unit mounting portion (47) to be configured as a part of the water outlet (48).

[0058] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the water outlet sterilization module (41) may include a light emitting module (43) and a waterproof unit (44) disposed below the light emitting module (43).

[0060] In detail, the light emitting module (43) may include a light source (432) that emits ultraviolet rays and a printed circuit board (PCB) (431) on which the light source (432) is mounted. In addition, the light source (432) may be an LED element that irradiates ultraviolet rays.

[0061] In addition, the waterproof unit (44) is installed to prevent water flowing inside the water cock (45) from splashing toward the light source (432). In detail, the waterproof unit (44) may include a protective window (441) made of a light-transmitting material and a sealer (442) surrounding the edge of the protective window (441). The protective window (441) may be formed in a rectangular shape, or may be formed in a polygonal or circular plate shape. In addition, the protective window (441) may be formed of quartz, plastic, or glass. For example, quartz has high light transmittance, so if the protective window (441) is formed of quartz, it is possible to prevent water flowing inside the water outlet module (200) from splashing toward the ultraviolet lamp (230), and also transmit ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source (432) to the water outlet (48) without loss. Therefore, the sterilization efficiency of the outlet (48) by ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source (432) can be increased.

[0062] Meanwhile, the water cock (45) may include, as described above, a water inlet (46), a water outlet (48), and a waterproof unit mounting portion (47) formed at the upper end of the water outlet (48). A receiving space having a size in which the waterproof unit (44) is accommodated is formed in the waterproof unit mounting portion (47). Accordingly, the receiving space may have the same shape as the waterproof unit (44).

[0063] Meanwhile, a water collecting portion (481), an inclined portion (482), and a straight portion (483) may be formed inside the water outlet (48). The inclined portion (482) and the straight portion (483) may be defined as a water discharge path. In addition, the water collecting portion (481) may be defined as a portion of the water intake path formed inside the water intake portion (46), or may be defined as a portion of the water discharge path.

[0064] In detail, the collection portion (481) may be defined as a cylindrical chamber having a predetermined diameter and depth. In addition, the inclined portion (482) may be defined as a truncated cone-shaped chamber whose cross-sectional diameter gradually decreases as it goes downward.

[0065] The upper diameter of the above-mentioned inclined portion (482) is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the above-mentioned collecting portion (481), so that a step may be formed between the above-mentioned collecting portion (481) and the above-mentioned inclined portion (482).

[0066] The upper diameter of the above-mentioned inclined portion (482) and the inclination angle of the above-mentioned inclined portion (482) can be determined by considering the amount and flow rate of the water being discharged.

[0067] In addition, the straight portion (483) may be defined as a cylindrical chamber having a diameter equal to the diameter of the lower end of the inclined portion (482) and extending a predetermined length. By forming the straight portion (483) at the lower end of the inclined portion (482), the flow rate of water discharged from the outlet (48) can be suppressed from becoming excessively fast.

[0068] In addition, the lower portion of the above-described outlet (48) may be formed in a shape that becomes convex and rounded downwards as it moves toward the center, as illustrated. This can minimize the phenomenon of water forming at the lower portion of the straight portion (483).

[0069] In addition, the lower end of the safety guide (49) may be extended slightly further than the lower end of the outlet (48) so that the lower end of the outlet (48) is not exposed to the user. In addition, one or more friction rings may be provided on the inner surface of the safety guide (49), so as to prevent the safety guide (49) from being automatically separated while being fitted to the outer surface of the outlet (48).

[0070] Alternatively, the safety guide (49) may be threadedly connected to the outer surface of the outlet (48).

[0071] Alternatively, instead of the safety guide (49), a cylindrical rib may be further extended from the lower edge of the outlet (48). That is, the lower end of the extended rib may be extended further downward than the lower end of the straight portion (483), thereby preventing the lower end of the straight portion (483) from being exposed to the outside.

[0072] Meanwhile, some of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source (432) strike the step portion and are reflected toward the side of the water collection portion (481).

[0073] And, the ultraviolet rays striking the inner surface of the inclined portion (482) are extinguished before reaching the straight portion (483) through multiple reflection processes.

[0074] And, ultraviolet rays irradiated vertically from the center of the light source (432) can pass through the straight section (483) and be emitted to the outside. However, the amount of ultraviolet rays emitted is so small that it does not damage the user's skin.

[0075] According to this structure, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source (432) have the advantage of maximizing the sterilization efficiency of the inner surface of the outlet (48) and the remaining water in the outlet (48), while minimizing the amount of ultraviolet rays emitted to the outside of the outlet (48).

[0076] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the main configuration of a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, a water dispensing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a filter unit (210) including one or more filters that filter raw water to produce purified water.

[0078] The above filter unit (210) is for purifying the supplied raw water and filters out various impurities and harmful substances contained in the raw water. The filter unit (210) is equipped with one or more filters, and may be equipped with a plurality of filters. For example, the filter unit (210) may be equipped with three filters, and may include a pre-carbon filter, a post-carbon filter, and a membrane filter or hollow fiber membrane filter disposed between the pre-carbon filter and the post-carbon filter. Alternatively, the filter unit (210) may be composed of a pre-carbon filter and a UF composite filter.

[0079] The purified water from the above filter unit (210) flows into a storage tank or a flow path. Meanwhile, the flow path through which the purified water flows is connected to the outlet (48), and the purified water is discharged to the outside through the outlet (48).

[0080] In addition, the water dispensing device (10) may include a hot water module (230) and a cold water module (240) for providing hot / cold water. The hot water module (230) heats purified water and then discharges it toward the water outlet (48). The cold water module (240) cools purified water and then discharges it toward the water outlet (48).

[0081] Additionally, the water dispensing device (10) may further include an operating unit (275) and an output unit (285).

[0082] The control unit (275) may include one or more buttons for receiving user input. For example, the control unit (275) may be provided as a touch panel and may include a capacity button for selecting the water output capacity, a hot water button for selecting hot water and further selecting the temperature of the hot water to be output, a purified water button for selecting purified water, a cold water button for selecting cold water, and other function buttons.

[0083] The output unit (285) may be equipped with a display device such as a display (not shown), a light emitting diode (LED) (not shown), etc. For example, the output unit (285) may display information such as the operating status of the water dispensing device, the occurrence of an error, or the level of water contamination.

[0084] The output unit (285) may be equipped with an audio device such as a speaker (not shown) or a buzzer (not shown). For example, the output unit (285) may output a sound effect regarding the operating status of the water dispensing device and may output a predetermined warning sound when an error occurs.

[0085] The water dispensing device (10) may include a valve unit (290) having valves for controlling the flow of water.

[0086] The water dispensing device (10) includes a control unit (260) that controls the overall operation.

[0087] The control unit (260) may perform various operations based on data received through the sensor unit (250) including various sensors such as a turbidity sensor and a temperature sensor. In addition, the control unit (260) may store data received through the sensor unit (250) in a memory (not shown). Data required for the operation of the water dispensing device (10), data acquired during the operation of the water dispensing device (10), etc. may be stored in the memory.

[0088] The sensor unit (250) includes one or more temperature sensors. For example, the temperature sensor may measure the temperature of a light source (432) that irradiates ultraviolet rays and a light-emitting module (43) including the same, and output the measured temperature to the control unit (260). In addition, another temperature sensor may measure the temperature of water at a predetermined location, and output the measured temperature to the control unit (260).

[0089] The sensor unit (250) can measure water quality and output the measured data to the control unit (260). The control unit (260) can control the sensor unit (250) to perform a feedback operation in response to the water quality measurement data of the raw water and / or purified water. Alternatively, the sensor unit (250) can directly determine the contamination level and transmit the result to the control unit (260), and the control unit (260) can control other components to perform an appropriate feedback operation based on the received contamination level.

[0090] The above control unit (260) can recognize the contamination status of raw water and / or purified water and control the output unit (285) to provide the user with information on a cleaning alarm or filter replacement cycle.

[0091] The water dispensing device (10) includes one or more hygiene modules. The water dispensing device (10) includes a water outlet sterilization module (280) for sterilizing the water outlet (48) side where contamination is likely to occur. The shape and arrangement of the water outlet sterilization module (280) may be determined according to the shape of the water outlet (48). For example, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water outlet sterilization module (280) may be implemented in the shape of the water outlet sterilization module (41) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0092] In addition, the water dispensing device (10) may further include a sterilizing module (270) using high-temperature water. The sterilizing module (270) can sterilize bacteria growing in the water by instantly heating the water to a high temperature. In addition, the control unit (260) can operate the sterilizing module (270) and circulate the sterilizing water (high-temperature water) discharged from the sterilizing module (270) to another flow path to sterilize the flow path. The control unit (260) can control the high-temperature water discharged from the sterilizing module (270) to move to the flow path area based on the water quality data measured by the sensor unit (250) to perform a sterilizing operation on the flow path.

[0093] The outlet sterilization module (280) irradiates ultraviolet rays (UV) toward the outlet (48) to remove bacteria or viruses. The outlet sterilization module (280) includes a light source (432) that irradiates ultraviolet rays. For example, the outlet sterilization module (280) may include at least one UV lamp (Ultraviolet rays lamp) or at least one UV LED (Ultraviolet rays Light Emitting Diode).

[0094] Meanwhile, ultraviolet light can typically be categorized by wavelength. For example, ultraviolet light can be divided into UVA with a wavelength of 320 to 400 nm, UVB with a wavelength of 280 to 320 nm, and UVC with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm. In particular, short-wavelength UVC has the property of destroying bacterial DNA and causing chemical reactions in certain substances, making it effective for sterilization, surface and water contamination removal, and hardening.

[0095] Accordingly, the light source (432) provided in the above-mentioned water outlet sterilization module (280) may be a UV LED that emits light in the ultraviolet wavelength range, and more preferably, a UVC LED that uses a short-wavelength C light source with a good sterilization effect.

[0096] The above light source (432) can sterilize the outlet (48) by irradiating ultraviolet rays toward the outlet (48).

[0097] The above control unit (260) can detect odors that may occur depending on the contamination level of raw water and / or purified water in advance, and activate automatic cleaning / sterilization logic through the sterilization module (270) and the water outlet sterilization module (280) before the customer senses them. Accordingly, the convenience and hygiene of use for non-professional users can be improved.

[0098] The water outlet sterilization module (280) can be operated under the control of the control unit (260). The water outlet sterilization module (280) can be operated periodically or for a predetermined period of time before water is discharged. More preferably, the control unit (260) can continuously operate the water outlet sterilization module (280) without a downtime to constantly sterilize the water outlet (36).

[0099] The above control unit (260) can be connected to each component provided in the water dispensing device. For example, the control unit (260) can transmit and / or receive signals between each component provided in the water dispensing device and control the overall operation of each component.

[0100] The control unit (260) may include at least one processor, and may control the overall operation of the water dispensing device using the processor included therein. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may also be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or another hardware-based processor.

[0101] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit (260) controls the outlet sterilization module (280) including a light source (432) that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the outlet (48). The outlet sterilization module (280) includes a printed circuit board (431) arranged so that its bottom surface faces the outlet (48), and the light source (432) can be mounted on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board (431).

[0102] The light source (432) irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the water outlet (48) under the control of the control unit (260) to sterilize the water outlet (48). The control unit (260) can turn the light source (432) on / off by applying a driving signal through the UV PCB (431) on which the light source (432) is mounted. The control unit (260) can control the frequency and duty ratio of the driving signal using a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the UV PCB (431) may include a constant current driving circuit for driving the UV LED light source (432) and a feedback circuit for monitoring the operating status of the UV LED light source (432). The constant current driving circuit may drive the UV LED light source (432) according to a driving signal received from the control unit (260). The control unit (260) may directly or by controlling the constant current driving circuit of the UV PCB (431) to apply a pulse to the LED light source (432). Even when the constant current driving circuit applies a pulse to the LED light source (432), the pulse is applied according to the control of the control unit (260). Therefore, the control unit (260) applying a pulse to the LED light source (432) may include not only the control unit (260) applying a pulse to the LED light source (432), but also the driving circuit such as the constant current driving circuit applying a pulse to the LED light source (432) according to the control of the control unit (260). The control unit (260) can control the on / off of the LED light source (432) with a pulse frequency and a duty ratio.

[0104] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by sterilizing the outlet (48) with ultraviolet rays, internal hygiene can be managed and clean water can be supplied to the user.

[0105] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are drawings for reference in the description of sterilization logic and pulse according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] First, referring to (a) of FIG. 5 and (a) of FIG. 6, the water dispensing device can perform a sterilization operation by intermittently irradiating ultraviolet rays according to a certain cycle. When the water dispensing device product is turned on, the sterilization mode starts immediately or after a set time has elapsed. Depending on the sterilization mode, the light source (432) can be turned on to emit ultraviolet rays. The light source (432) that emitted ultraviolet rays in the first section (T12) is switched to an off state, thereby stopping the emission of ultraviolet rays. In addition, the on / off operation of the light source (432) can be performed periodically.

[0107] Referring to (a) of FIG. 5 and (a) of FIG. 6, the light source (432) may be turned on for a first period (T12) (e.g., 10 minutes, 5 minutes) to irradiate ultraviolet rays. Thereafter, the light source (432) may be turned off for a second period (T12) (e.g., 50 minutes, 55 minutes) to provide a rest period during which no light is irradiated.

[0108] The time for which ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the light source (432) is counted by a timer, and it is determined whether the ultraviolet irradiation time has reached the first period (T12). Then, if it is determined that the ultraviolet irradiation time has reached the first period (T12), the light source (432) is turned off. In addition, it is determined through the timer whether the off time of the light source (432) has reached the second period (T12), and if it is determined that the downtime has reached the second period (T12), the process of turning the light source (432) on again is repeated. Therefore, the sum of the first period (T12) and the second period (T12) is defined as a sterilization cycle.

[0109] That is, the light source (432) can repeat the process of irradiating ultraviolet rays and resting according to the set sterilization cycle. For example, the light source (432) can repeat the operation of being on for 10 minutes and off for 50 minutes. Alternatively, the light source (432) can repeat the operation of being on for 5 minutes and off for 55 minutes.

[0110] As shown in (a) of Fig. 5 and (a) of Fig. 6, the sterilization logic that repeatedly performs the driving time (first section (T12)), the rest time (second section (T12)), the driving time (first section (T12)), and the rest time (second section (T12)) can be named a sterilization cycle drive that is driven according to the sterilization cycle (sum of the first section (T12) and the second section (T12)).

[0111] More preferably, the control unit (260) can prevent bacteria from multiplying in the outlet (48) by continuously applying pulses at a preset reference frequency to drive the light source (432).

[0112] In addition, the water dispensing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent bacteria from growing in the water outlet (48) by constantly sterilizing the water outlet (48) with ultraviolet rays without any downtime.

[0113] Referring to (b) of FIG. 5 and (b) of FIG. 6, the control unit (260) continuously applies pulses at a preset reference frequency (N Hz) to drive the light source (432). In addition, the control unit (260) continuously applies pulses to drive the light source (432) without a rest time between the first period (T12) in which the light source (432) irradiates light, as in the second period (T12).

[0114] As shown in (b) of Fig. 5 and (b) of Fig. 6, the sterilization logic that continuously applies pulses to drive the light source (432) without a rest time can be called pulse continuous driving.

[0115] Meanwhile, the control unit (260) can adjust the overall duty ratio of pulses in pulse continuous driving. For example, if driving is performed with the same duty ratio as the driving time of 10 minutes (first section (T12)) and the rest time of 50 minutes (second section (T12)) as exemplified in (a) of Fig. 5, the light source (432) can be driven with a pulse having a frequency of 10 Hz and a duty ratio of 16.7%.

[0116] The total duty ratio of the pulses is the driving rate of the pulse continuous driving, and the control unit (260) can also control the light quantity by adjusting the driving rate at a fixed frequency. Here, the light quantity (dose) is the light energy irradiated per unit area (J / m 2 ) as irradiance (W / m) 2 ) and the exposure time (s). Meanwhile, the light output (radiant power) means the light energy (luminous output of UV LED) (W) per unit time. At high UV dose, the duty ratio of pulse operation can be adjusted to minimize changes in water taste, ensure reliability of exposed parts, and ensure safety of human exposure.

[0117] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a water outlet (48) is sterilized using a light source (432) that irradiates ultraviolet rays. At this time, the light source (432) is driven by continuously applying pulses at a reference frequency (N Hz) to achieve higher sterilization performance and improved hygiene. For example, the control unit (260) can drive the light source (432) with pulses at a reference frequency selected within the range of 1 to 100 Hz to perform continuous sterilization without a rest period.

[0118] Typically, UV light sterilization performance is proportional to the exposure intensity, which is the product of irradiance and exposure time. To enhance photosterilization performance, the light source (432) can be operated continuously for 24 hours. However, high UV light intensity can cause the following side effects.

[0119]

[0120] - The organic matter in the purified water reacts with ultraviolet rays, giving the water a chemical-like taste.

[0121] - Exposure to ultraviolet rays breaks down the chemical bonds of polymer materials, causing discoloration and changes in the physical properties of the parts.

[0122] -UV rays from the outlet can cause dermatitis and corneal damage.

[0123]

[0124] The possibility of side effects such as the above increases as the UV light intensity increases, so the UV light intensity should be set to minimize side effects while ensuring photosterilization performance.

[0125] To reduce the above side effects, the ON / OFF logic of the sterilization cycle can be applied to control the amount of ultraviolet light. However, this sterilization cycle has a pause time between the sterilization time of one cycle and the sterilization time of the next cycle, and the pause time is very long compared to the sterilization time. During this pause time, there is a concern that microorganisms in the water may multiply depending on the conditions inside and outside the water dispensing device (10). For example, since the time it takes for bacteria to double through nuclear division under appropriate conditions (generation time) takes as short as 17 minutes, it is desirable to make the pause time when ultraviolet light is not irradiated shorter than this.

[0126] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit (260) controls the first period (T11) in which the pulse for driving the light source (432) is supplied to be longer than the second period (T12) in which the pulse is not supplied.

[0127] The above control unit (260) can set the second section (T12) corresponding to the time at which the purified water is discharged through the water outlet (48). That is, by stopping ultraviolet irradiation during the water discharge time, safety accidents can be prevented.

[0128] More preferably, the control unit (260) can control the light source (432) by setting the second period (T12) to 0 during a time when the purified water is not discharged through the water outlet (48). That is, the control unit (260) can control the light source (432) to perform continuous sterilization without a rest time (second period (T12)), as shown in (b) of FIG. 5 and (b) of FIG. 6, except for the water discharge time.

[0129] In the present disclosure, when driving a light source (432) to sterilize a water outlet (48), the light source (432) can be driven with a pulse of a reference frequency (e.g., 10 Hz) to enable continuous sterilization while reducing the amount of ultraviolet light. The ON / OFF cycle of 10 minutes of driving and 50 minutes of rest is 1 hour, which has a frequency of 0.000278 Hz, but is very low compared to the minimum value of pulse continuous driving of 1 Hz.

[0130] When the light source (432) is driven with a pulse of 1 to 100 Hz, the sterilizing performance is improved compared to continuous irradiation with the same light dose. In addition, even when the amount of ultraviolet light must be limited to minimize changes in the taste of purified water discharged from the water dispensing device (10), ensure the reliability of components exposed to ultraviolet light, and ensure safety of human exposure, pulse continuous driving has the advantage of being easy to adjust the duty ratio compared to sterilization cycle driving and being able to prevent the growth of microorganisms through constant sterilization.

[0131] In addition, the pulse continuous driving according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can maintain the same light output by increasing the operating rate by the expected light output decrease according to the usage time of the light source (432) to maintain the initial sterilizing performance. In order to maintain the initial sterilizing performance, the operating rate can be divided by the expected light output decrease according to the usage time to maintain the same light output.

[0132] In addition, pulse continuous driving has the advantage of lowering the driving temperature of the light source (432) to improve light output and lifespan and to solve the heat dissipation problem in high-output UV LEDs.

[0133] The control unit (260) operates by applying a pulse to the light source (432), and the temperature of the light source (432) increases from an initial temperature to a first temperature and is maintained within a predetermined range at the first temperature. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by controlling the ultraviolet light source with a pulse having a predetermined frequency and managing the light source temperature within a predetermined range, the lifespan and sterilization performance can be improved.

[0134] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit (260) can control the light source (432) to enter an automatic sterilization mode when the product is turned on and to continuously sterilize the water outlet (48) without a downtime.

[0135] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit (260) drives the light source (432) by applying a pulse, and the temperature of the light source (432) rises from an initial temperature to a first temperature and is maintained within a predetermined range at the first temperature.

[0136] In addition, the control unit (260) can improve the lifespan of the light source (432) and prevent performance degradation of the light source (432) by performing sterilization logic while maintaining the temperature of the light source (432) within a predetermined range.

[0137] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the light output and lifespan of the outlet sterilization module (280) can be improved.

[0138] Meanwhile, the control unit (260) may increase the duty ratio of the pulse applied to the light source (432) based on the accumulated usage time of the light source (432). According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, sterilizing performance can be maintained even after long-term use.

[0139] Meanwhile, the control unit (260) can control the light source (432) to be off while the purified water is discharged through the water outlet (48). When the purified water is discharged, the control unit (260) can turn off the light source (432) to prevent ultraviolet rays from being exposed to the skin, such as hands, and improve safety.

[0140] In addition, if the time for which the purified water is not discharged through the water outlet (48) is longer than the non-discharge time setting time, the control unit (260) can control the light source (432) to continuously sterilize the water outlet (48) without a downtime.

[0141] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference frequency of the pulse driving the light source (432) may be set within a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz. More preferably, the reference frequency may be set within a range of 7.8 Hz to 13 Hz.

[0142] FIGS. 7 to 19 are drawings for reference in explaining an operation method of a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the results of experiments conducted at different pulse frequencies under the same conditions of a pulse duty ratio of 50%. Figure 7 illustrates the sterilizing performance at different pulse frequencies on a logarithmic scale, and Figure 8 is a table showing the average sterilizing performance and standard deviation (SD) at different pulse frequencies.

[0144] -Test conditions

[0145] - UV LED: Peak wavelength 275 nm, light output approximately 3 mW

[0146] - Test temperature: 23~27°C

[0147] - Test strain: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538P)

[0148] - Inoculation surface: mixed cellulose ester membrane filter (pore size: 0.2 μm)

[0149] - Investigation distance: 10 cm

[0150] Irradiance: 3 mJ / cm2

[0151] - Duty Ratio: 50%

[0152]

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the light source (432) of the outlet sterilization module (280) is driven, when the frequency is varied from 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz at the same light intensity with an operating rate of 50%, high sterilization performance is exhibited within the range of 7.8 Hz to 13 Hz. Preferably, the reference frequency can be set within the range of 7.8 Hz to 13 Hz.

[0154] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the light source (432) of the outlet sterilization module (280) is driven, the highest sterilization performance is achieved at 10 Hz when the frequency is varied from 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz at the same light intensity and operating rate of 50%. Most preferably, the frequency of the pulse drive can be selected as 10 Hz.

[0155] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the results of an experiment conducted under the same conditions of a reference pulse frequency of 10 Hz, according to the duty ratio of the pulse. Figure 9 is a graph showing the sterilizing performance according to the duty ratio, and Figure 19 is a table showing the average value and standard deviation (SD) of the sterilizing performance according to the duty ratio. Meanwhile, a duty ratio of 100% in Figures 9 and 10 means continuous operation in which the product is continuously maintained in an on state when it is operated, which is different from pulse continuous operation in which the light source is repeatedly turned on and off using a pulse that repeats on and off at the reference frequency.

[0156] When the light source (432) of the outlet sterilization module (280) is driven, when the operating rate is varied from 16.7 to 80% at the same light quantity and frequency of 10 Hz, it exhibits higher sterilization performance compared to continuous operation (Duty Ratio 100%). Meanwhile, since there was no significant difference in sterilization performance according to the operating rate within the range of 16.7 to 80%, the operating rate can be flexibly selected according to the situation. For example, in response to the operating rate of 16.7% (10 minutes On / 50 minutes Off) exemplified in the explanation of Fig. 5 (a) and Fig. 6 (b), the pulse cycle can be selected as 16.7 ms On / 83.3 ms Off.

[0157] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operating rate of the pulse drive can be increased depending on the usage time of the light source (432) of the water outlet sterilization module (280). Since the UV LED used as the light source (432) has a characteristic in which the light output decreases depending on the usage time and the temperature and humidity environment, in order to maintain the initial sterilization performance, the driving current must be increased to maintain the same light output.

[0158] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the change in light output of a UV LED using a formula and a graph.

[0159] Dutyt: Operating rate at UV LED operating time t

[0160] Duty0: Initial UV LED setting operating rate

[0161] P0: Initial UV LED light output

[0162] Pt: Light output at UV LED operating time t

[0163] Meanwhile, since a physical resistance change is required for current change in the PCB (431) of the UV LED light source (432), the circuit becomes complex and the cost increases. On the other hand, since the pulse operating rate can be easily increased by programming the ON / OFF time, if the operating rate is gradually increased according to the usage time of the UV LED, the initial sterilizing performance can be easily maintained without an increase in cost. For example, the initial UV LED setting operating rate can be divided by the UV LED light output ratio at the operating time t compared to the initial setting, and the operating rate at the operating time t can be set to maintain the same light output.

[0164] Photosterilization by UV irradiation occurs through damage to the DNA of microorganisms by photochemical reactions and damage to cell membranes, proteins, and polymers by reactive oxygen species (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals) generated inside the cell.

[0165] Figure 13 illustrates the formulas and parameters for the rate of change in the concentration of reactive oxygen species and the rate of change in the concentration of bacteria, and Figure 14 illustrates the calculation conditions for the parameters of Figure 13. Figure 15 illustrates the change in the concentration of reactive oxygen species according to the time of ultraviolet irradiation, and Figure 16 illustrates the change in the average concentration of reactive oxygen species.

[0166] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when UV light from a UV LED (432) was pulsed, the concentration of reactive oxygen species inside the bacteria was higher than when continuous irradiation was performed. This may be because the impact energy of the UV pulse acted as a greater stress factor on the bacteria. When bacteria are stressed, reactive oxygen species begin to be generated and accumulate. The generated reactive oxygen species cause secondary polymer damage, generate additional reactive oxygen species, and when the threshold is exceeded, death occurs.

[0167] Referring to Figs. 13 to 16, the concentration of reactive oxygen species increases momentarily at the beginning of UV irradiation, then is absorbed inside bacteria such as DNA, and is reduced by the interaction between reactive oxygen species, and then gradually decreases. In the case of pulse irradiation of a specific cycle, the decrease in reactive oxygen species during continuous irradiation can be minimized, so that a higher concentration of reactive oxygen species can be maintained at the same light intensity, thereby improving sterilizing performance. Referring to Figs. 13 to 16, the cumulative time average concentration of reactive oxygen species can be maintained high when irradiated for 0.01 to 1 second. In other words, intermittent pulse irradiation with a frequency of 100 to 1 Hz is effective for photosterilization.

[0168] According to the present disclosure, by driving the UV LED light source (432) of the outlet sterilization module (280) in pulses, the sterilization performance can be improved compared to continuous driving of the same amount of light.

[0169] In addition, according to the present disclosure, the amount of UV light can be lowered by controlling the driving rate of the pulse drive, and since continuous sterilization is possible compared to a method of continuously driving for a specific period of time followed by a rest period, the possibility of microbial growth can be reduced.

[0170] In a 10-minute ON / 50-minute OFF operation (operating rate of 16.7%), it takes a certain amount of time to sterilize E. coli by 99.99%. Furthermore, if higher sterilization performance is required, the ON time must be increased to increase the operating rate. However, increasing the operating rate can negatively affect the taste of the water in the water purifier, limiting its application. However, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the problem of water taste changes in the water purifier under high UV light intensity can be solved by lowering the operating rate of the pulse operation.

[0171] In addition, the problem of polymer degradation under high UV light intensity can be solved by lowering the operation rate of UV LED pulse driving. Since the degree of deterioration, such as discoloration, when plastics used in home appliances are exposed to UV tends to be proportional to the irradiated light intensity, this problem can be solved by adjusting the operation rate of pulse driving.

[0172] In addition, the problem of external UV exposure of the product at high UV light levels can be solved by lowering the operation rate of the UV LED pulse drive. Since the photobiological safety of UV light sources is also determined by the exposure light level (IEC62471), this problem can be solved by adjusting the operation rate of the pulse drive. When discharging purified water, the UV LED light source (432) can be turned off to prevent UV exposure to skin such as hands near the water outlet (48).

[0173] Fig. 17 Fig. 19

[0174] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the initial light output and sterilization performance can be continuously maintained by compensating for the light output reduction rate according to the lifespan of the UV LED light source (432) and reflecting it in the pulse driving operation rate.

[0175] Since the light output of a UV LED tends to be inversely proportional to the operating temperature, pulse driving of a UV LED module can increase the light output by lowering the temperature of the LED compared to continuous driving.

[0176] As the operating temperature of the UV LED increases, the deterioration rate of materials such as AlN increases and the light output decreases faster. Therefore, by lowering the operating temperature through UV LED pulse operation and slowing down the light output decrease rate of the UV LED, the service life can be increased.

[0177] Figures 17 and 18 illustrate the results of measuring the surface temperature of a UV LED according to the sterilization logic of the outlet (48) when a UV LED light source (432) with a light output of 4 mW is applied. Figure 19 is a graph illustrating the temperature-dependent lifespan (L70: defined as the time required for the initial luminous flux to decrease to 70%) of a UV LED.

[0178] Referring to Fig. 17, when driven on for 10 minutes and off for 50 minutes, the UV LED surface temperature increased from an initial 24 degrees to 44 degrees after 10 minutes. Referring to Fig. 18, when driven on a pulse at 10 Hz at the same operating rate of 16.7%, the UV LED surface temperature was low at 27 degrees after 10 minutes and maintained the same temperature.

[0179] Therefore, by preventing deterioration of LE materials at high temperatures during pulse operation, the lifespan of UV LEDs can be increased. The lifespan of UV LEDs tends to shorten as the LED temperature increases. Typically, UV LEDs have a luminous efficacy of 2-4%, with the remainder of their power consumption dissipated as heat. Therefore, the increase in UV LED temperature is proportional to its light output. Furthermore, pulse operation is proportional to the operating rate, so the temperature during continuous operation can be lowered by adjusting the operating rate.

[0180] Referring to Fig. 18, when driving with a pulse having a reference frequency, the temperature of the light source (432) increases from an initial temperature (e.g., 24 degrees) to a first temperature (LT1) (e.g., 27 degrees), and is maintained within a predetermined range at the first temperature (LT1) (e.g., 27 degrees). According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by controlling the ultraviolet light source with a pulse having a predetermined frequency and managing the light source temperature within a predetermined range, the lifespan and sterilization performance can be improved.

[0181] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit (260) drives the light source (432) by applying a pulse, and the temperature of the light source (432) increases from an initial temperature (e.g., 24 degrees) to a first temperature (e.g., 27 degrees) and is maintained within a predetermined range at the first temperature (LT1) (e.g., 27 degrees).

[0182] Since UV LEDs exhibit a faster rate of decrease in light output compared to their initial levels as the LED temperature increases, temperature reduction may be necessary through PCB heat dissipation design when applying a sterilization function to home appliances. However, this may lead to increased material costs and component size due to the use of metal PCBs and heat dissipation fins. However, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, temperature management is possible without increasing material costs or component size through UV LED pulse control.

[0183] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the operating time of the UV LED can be increased by adjusting the operating rate of the UV LED pulse operation. For example, if the lifespan of the UV LED does not vary depending on the pulse operation, applying an operating rate of 16.7% has the effect of increasing the operating time of the UV LED by six times compared to continuous operation at an operating rate of 100%. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is an effect of increasing the lifespan due to the reduced operating temperature of the UV LED.

[0184] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A filter that filters the raw data to produce an integer; A water outlet through which the above-mentioned water is discharged; A water outlet sterilization module including a light source that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the water outlet; and A control unit for controlling the light source; The above control unit, A water dispensing device that drives the light source by continuously applying pulses at a preset reference frequency.

2. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, When the product is turned on, it enters automatic sterilization mode, A water dispensing device that controls the light source to continuously sterilize the above water outlet without any downtime.

3. In paragraph 1, A water dispensing device wherein the above reference frequency is set within a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz.

4. In paragraph 3, A water dispensing device wherein the above reference frequency is set within a range of 7.8 Hz to 13 Hz.

5. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that increases the duty ratio of pulses applied to the light source based on the accumulated usage time of the light source.

6. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that controls the light source to be off while the purified water is discharged through the water outlet.

7. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that controls the light source to continuously sterilize the water outlet without a downtime if the time for which the purified water is not discharged through the water outlet is longer than the non-discharge time setting time.

8. In paragraph 1, The above water outlet sterilization module further includes a printed circuit board arranged so that the bottom surface faces the water outlet, The above light source is a water dispensing device mounted on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board.

9. In paragraph 1, The above water outlet sterilization module is, A protective window made of light-transmitting material provided on the lower side of the above light source; A water dispensing device further comprising a sealer surrounding the edge of the transparent plate.

10. Filter that filters the raw numbers to produce integers; A water outlet through which the above-mentioned water is discharged; A water outlet sterilization module including a light source that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the water outlet; and A control unit for controlling the light source; The above control unit, A water dispensing device that controls a first section in which a pulse driving the light source is supplied to be longer than a second section in which the pulse is not supplied.

11. In paragraph 10, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that sets the second section corresponding to the time at which the purified water is discharged through the above outlet.

12. In paragraph 10, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that sets the second section to 0 and controls the light source during a time when the purified water is not discharged through the water outlet.

13. In paragraph 10, The above control unit, When the product is turned on, it enters automatic sterilization mode, A water dispensing device that controls the light source to continuously sterilize the above water outlet without any downtime.

14. In paragraph 13, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that controls the light source to continuously sterilize the water outlet without a downtime if the time for which the purified water is not discharged through the water outlet is longer than the non-discharge time setting time.

15. In paragraph 10, A water dispensing device wherein the above reference frequency is set within a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz.

16. In paragraph 15, A water dispensing device wherein the above reference frequency is set within a range of 7.8 Hz to 13 Hz.

17. In paragraph 10, The above control unit, A water dispensing device that increases the duty ratio of pulses applied to the light source based on the accumulated usage time of the light source.

18. In paragraph 10, The above water outlet sterilization module further includes a printed circuit board arranged so that the bottom surface faces the water outlet, The above light source is a water dispensing device mounted on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board.

19. In paragraph 10, The above water outlet sterilization module is, A protective window made of light-transmitting material provided on the lower side of the above light source; A water dispensing device further comprising a sealer surrounding the edge of the transparent plate.

20. Filter that filters the raw numbers to produce integers; A water outlet through which the above-mentioned water is discharged; A water outlet sterilization module including a light source that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the water outlet; A sensor unit including a sensor for sensing the temperature of the light source; and A control unit for controlling the light source; The above control unit operates by applying a pulse to the light source, A water dispensing device in which the temperature of the light source rises from an initial temperature to a first temperature and is maintained within a predetermined range at the first temperature.

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