Water purifier

Abstract

A water purifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a water tank in which purified water is stored. The water purifier can include a water discharge part which is connected to the water tank through a water supply pipe and which discharges, to the outside, the purified water supplied from the water tank. The water discharge part can include a water outlet nozzle and a return pipe, which branches off to the upper side of the water outlet nozzle and extends into the water tank, forms atmospheric air flow between the water tank and the water outlet nozzle, and returns, to the water tank, the purified water supplied to the water discharge part.

Description

water purifier

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a water purifier having an under-sink structure.

[0002] A water purifier is a device that provides purified water to users by filtering and removing impurities such as foreign substances or heavy metals contained in raw water or tap water through various physical and / or chemical purification methods, such as sedimentation, filtration, and sterilization. For example, a water purifier may be equipped with one or more water filters, and the water flowing into the purifier may be filtered through the water filters to supply clean water to users. Furthermore, the water purifier may provide purified water to users in the form of room temperature purified water, cold water at a temperature lower than room temperature, and / or hot water at a temperature higher than room temperature.

[0003] Water purifiers can be categorized by type: direct-connected, which connect directly to a faucet, and storage-type, which store water in a container (or water tank) and pass it through a filter. Furthermore, water purifiers can be categorized by their purification principle or method: natural filtration, direct-connected filtration, ion exchange resin, distillation, or reverse osmosis.

[0004] Direct filtration is a method of purifying water by directly connecting the water purifier to the water pipe. This method filters out impurities as the water passes through the filter due to water pressure. The purified water is then discharged through the faucet (or outlet) and can be used as drinking water. In a direct filtration water purifier, the main unit, which houses the filter and / or water tank, is placed under the sink, and the faucet can be installed on the sink. This type of water purifier is called an under-sink water purifier.

[0005] For undersink water purifiers, even after the pump has stopped operating, a small amount of water may flow into the faucet or remain inside the faucet due to the height difference between the faucet and the water tank. This is especially true in cold weather, such as winter, when water remains inside the faucet, which can freeze, rendering the water unusable.

[0006] The above information may be provided as related art for the purpose of assisting in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above-described matters constitute prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0007] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a water purifier including a return pipe branching upward from a faucet (or water supply pipe) and communicating with the inside of a water tank, in an undersink water purifier.

[0008] A water purifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a water tank in which purified water is stored. The water purifier may include a water outlet connected to the water tank through a water supply pipe and configured to discharge purified water supplied from the water tank to the outside. The water outlet may include a water outlet nozzle and a recovery pipe branching upward from the water outlet nozzle and extending into the water tank, forming an air flow between the water tank and the water outlet nozzle, and configured to recover purified water supplied to the water outlet into the water tank.

[0009] A water purifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a water tank in which purified water is stored, a water supply pipe extending upward from the water tank and supplying purified water stored in the water tank to the outside, and a recovery pipe branching upward from the water supply pipe and extending into the water tank, forming an air flow between the water tank and the water supply pipe, and configured to recover purified water flowing along the water supply pipe into the water tank.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in a water purifier having an undersink structure, the water outlet is provided with a water outlet nozzle and a return pipe communicating with a water tank, so that the difference in height between the water tank and the water outlet or the pressure difference with the outside is resolved, thereby allowing purified water remaining in the water outlet nozzle to be discharged to the outside after the pump operation is terminated. In addition, when the water outlet nozzle is blocked and cannot be discharged to the outside, purified water is returned to the water tank through the return pipe, thereby preventing an increase in pressure inside the pipe, thereby preventing damage to the pipe and / or pipe connecting members and water leakage due to damage.

[0011] The effects that can be achieved by the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain, from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a water purifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the exterior of a water purifier body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the exterior of a water purifier body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a drawing schematically showing the connection relationship of internal components of a water purifier body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a drawing schematically showing the connection relationship between a water tank and a water outlet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the outlet shown in Figure 4, viewed from another direction.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a recovery pipe connected inside a water tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the position of one end of a recovery pipe inside a water tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 8a is a drawing showing the flow of purified water when the outlet nozzle is open during pump operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 8b is a drawing showing the flow of purified water when the outlet nozzle is closed during pump operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0024] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0025] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0026] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0027] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0028] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0029] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0030] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0031] When we say that a component is “on” another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0032] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0033] The operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a water purifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a water purifier (1) installed on a kitchen worktop (2).

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, a water purifier (1) according to one embodiment may include a water purifier body (10) and a water outlet (or faucet) (20) connected to the water purifier body (10) to discharge water outside the water purifier (1).

[0037] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may be placed at the bottom of a kitchen worktop (2). The water outlet (20) may be placed at the top of the kitchen worktop (2). A water purifier (1) having a structure in which the water purifier body (10) and the water outlet (20) have different heights and are placed separately may be referred to as an under-sink water purifier (1). Here, the kitchen worktop (2) may include a sink, and the sink may include a sink and a kitchen countertop.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may be placed inside a kitchen worktop (2). For example, the water purifier body (10) may be placed inside a sink.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) can be connected to the water purifier body (10), the water outlet (20), and the water faucet (70) installed on the kitchen worktop (2) through a plurality of pipes (P). For example, the water purifier body (10) is connected to the water outlet (20) through a water supply pipe (or, first water supply pipe) (P1), and can provide purified water to a user through the water outlet (20). For example, the water purifier body (10) is connected to the water faucet (70) through a water supply pipe (or, second water supply pipe) (P2), and can provide purified water or raw water to a user through the water faucet (70). For example, the water purifier body (10) is connected to a water supply source such as a tap water supply through an external pipe (P3), and can receive raw water such as tap water from the water supply source.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a filter unit (30) for filtering impurities contained in raw water, a water tank (40) for storing water purified by the filter unit (30), and a heat exchange unit (50) for cooling or heating the water purified by the filter unit (30). The heat exchange unit (50) may include a cooling module (e.g., a cooling module (51) of FIG. 3) for cooling the water purified by the filter unit (30) and a heating module (e.g., a heating module (52) of FIG. 3) for heating the water purified by the filter unit (30).

[0041] According to one embodiment, the filter unit (30) can filter out impurities such as foreign substances and heavy metals contained in the raw water that has flowed into the water purifier body (10) through the external pipe (P3). In one embodiment, the filter unit (30) can include at least one filter (31). For example, the filter unit (30) can include a pre-treatment filter that adsorbs volatile substances such as chlorine and chlorine by-products from the raw water that has flowed into the water purifier body (10), a membrane filter that filters fine contaminants by reverse osmosis, and a post-treatment filter that affects the taste of the purified water that is discharged. The pre-treatment filter, the membrane filter, and the post-treatment filter can be sequentially connected, and the raw water that has flowed into the filter unit (30) can sequentially pass through the pre-treatment filter, the membrane filter, and the post-treatment filter, thereby filtering out impurities contained in the raw water. The above-described contents regarding the type and arrangement of the filter (31) of the filter unit (30) are merely examples and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the heat exchange unit (50) may include a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and a heater, although not specified in this drawing. In this case, the purified water may be cooled through the operation of the refrigeration cycle device, or the purified water may be heated through the operation of the heater.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the outlet (20) may be installed on the upper part of the kitchen worktop (2). For example, the outlet (20) may be installed on the upper part of the sink.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the water outlet (20) may be rotatably positioned on the upper part of the kitchen worktop (2). In this case, the user can receive water from the water outlet (20) at a desired location by rotating the water outlet (20).

[0045] According to one embodiment, a kitchen worktop (2) may be provided with an installation portion (3) for installing a water outlet (20). In one embodiment, the installation portion (3) may be formed by penetrating at least a portion of the kitchen worktop (2). For example, the installation portion (3) may be provided in the form of a hole. In this case, the water outlet (20) may be connected to a water supply pipe (P1) penetrating the installation portion (3) of the kitchen worktop (2).

[0046] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a pipe fixing device (60) provided to fix a water supply pipe (P1). In one embodiment, the pipe fixing device (60) may be disposed inside a kitchen worktop (2). In one embodiment, the pipe fixing device (60) may be disposed between the water purifier body (10) and the water outlet (20). In one embodiment, the pipe fixing device (60) may be fixed to at least one of the water purifier body (10) and the kitchen worktop (2). In one embodiment, the pipe fixing device (60) may have a portion of the water supply pipe (P1) wound around it, and the length of the water supply pipe (P1) may be extended or shortened as a portion of the water supply pipe (P1) is unwound or wound around the pipe fixing device (60).

[0047] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the exterior of a water purifier body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the exterior of a water purifier body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b are views of the water purifier body (10) viewed from different directions. FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the water purifier body (10) viewed from the front (e.g., in the +x-axis direction), and FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the water purifier body (10) viewed from the rear (e.g., in the -x-axis direction).

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the water purifier body (10) may include a case (110) that forms the exterior of the water purifier body (10).

[0051] According to one embodiment, components constituting the water purifier body (10) may be arranged inside the case (110). For example, a filter unit (e.g., filter unit (30) of FIG. 1), a water tank (e.g., water tank (40) of FIG. 1), and a heat exchange unit (e.g., heat exchange unit (50) of FIG. 1) may be arranged inside the case (110).

[0052] According to one embodiment, the case (110) may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the case (110) may include a front panel (111), a side panel (112), an upper panel (113), a rear panel (114), and a base (115).

[0053] According to one embodiment, the front panel (111) may constitute the front surface (e.g., the surface facing the +x-axis direction) of the water purifier body (10). According to one embodiment, the side panel (112) may constitute the side surface (e.g., the surface facing the ±y-axis direction) of the water purifier body (10). According to one embodiment, the upper panel (113) may constitute the upper surface (e.g., the surface facing the +z-axis direction) of the water purifier body (10). According to one embodiment, the rear panel (114) may constitute the rear surface (e.g., the surface facing the -x-axis direction) of the water purifier body (10).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the rear panel (114) may include a raw water inlet (1141), a cold water / purified water outlet (1142), a hot water outlet (1143), a drain inlet (1144), or a drain outlet (1145). According to one embodiment, each of the raw water inlet (1141), the cold water / purified water outlet (1142), the hot water outlet (1143), the drain inlet (1144), or the drain outlet (1145) may be connected to a corresponding plurality of flow paths and valves (see FIG. 3). However, unlike as illustrated in this drawing, the inlets (1141 to 1145) may be formed on a surface other than the rear surface of the water purifier body (10) (e.g., the rear panel (114)) depending on the design structure of the flow paths and / or valves.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the base (115) may constitute a bottom surface (e.g., a surface facing the -z-axis direction) of the water purifier body (10). According to one embodiment, the base (15) may be provided to support a component (e.g., a heat exchanger (50)) placed inside the water purifier body (10).

[0056] According to one embodiment, the rear panel (114) may include an exhaust port (116) for air circulation inside and outside the water purifier body (10). Heat generated by the operation of a device (e.g., a heat exchanger (50)) installed inside the water purifier body (10) may be discharged from the inside of the water purifier body (10) to the outside through the exhaust port (116). The exhaust port (116) may have, for example, a circular grill shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a drawing schematically showing the connection relationship of internal components of a water purifier body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, the water purifier body (10) may include a raw water inlet (1141) through which raw water (e.g., tap water) at room temperature is introduced from the outside, a cold water / purified water outlet (1142) through which filtered water at room temperature (or purified water) or filtered and cooled water (or cold water) inside the water purifier body (10) is discharged, and a hot water outlet (1143) through which filtered and heated water (or hot water) inside the water purifier body (10) is discharged.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the raw water inlet (1141) may be connected to an external pipe (e.g., the external pipe (P3) of FIG. 1). Raw water at room temperature may be supplied into the water purifier body (10) through the raw water inlet (1141). For example, raw water from a water source such as a tap water supply (not shown) may be supplied into the water purifier body (10) through the raw water inlet (1141).

[0060] According to one embodiment, the cold water / purified water outlet (1142) can be connected to a water supply pipe (e.g., water supply pipes (P1, P2) of FIG. 1). The purified water or cold water at room temperature filtered inside the water purifier body (10) can be supplied to a water outlet (e.g., water outlet (20) of FIG. 1) or a faucet (e.g., faucet (70) of FIG. 1) through the cold water / purified water outlet (1142) and the water supply pipes (P1, P2) and provided to a user.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the hot water outlet (1143) may be connected to the water supply pipes (P1, P2). Hot water filtered inside the water purifier body (10) may be supplied to the water outlet (20) or the faucet (70) through the hot water outlet (1143) and the water supply pipes (P1, P2) and provided to the user.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a drain inlet (1144) connected to a water outlet (20) and a drain outlet (1145) that discharges drainage (e.g., stagnant water in a faucet or internal passage caused by sterilization or other various causes) that flows into the water purifier body (10) through the drain inlet (1144) to the outside. Water (e.g., residual water) discarded from the water outlet (20) may flow into the water purifier body (10) through the drain inlet (1144) and then be discharged to the outside through the drain outlet (1145).

[0063] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a plurality of flow paths (120, 130, 140, 150, 160) connecting internal components (e.g., a filter unit (30), a water tank (40), and a heat exchange unit (50)) and a plurality of inlets and outlets (1141 to 1145).

[0064] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a raw water passage (120) connecting a raw water inlet (1141), a filter unit (30), and / or a water tank (40). In one embodiment, the raw water passage (120) may function as a passage for allowing raw water introduced into the raw water inlet (1141) to be filtered in the filter unit (30) and stored in the water tank (40).

[0065] According to one embodiment, a pressure reducing valve (121) may be placed in the raw water path (120) to adjust the pressure of the raw water in response to the pressure fluctuation of the raw water flowing into the raw water inlet (1141).

[0066] According to one embodiment, a raw water inlet valve (122) may be arranged in the raw water path (120) to control whether raw water is introduced and / or the amount of raw water introduced.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a purified water passage (130) connecting the filter unit (30) and / or the water tank (40) and the cold water / purified water outlet (1142). In one embodiment, the purified water passage (130) may be composed of at least one pipe. In one embodiment, the purified water passage (130) may function as a passage that supplies purified water stored in the water tank (40) through the filter unit (30) to the cold water / purified water outlet (1142).

[0068] According to one embodiment, a pump (41) that controls whether purified water stored in a water tank (40) is supplied and / or the amount of purified water supplied may be disposed in the water purification channel (130). In one embodiment, the pump (41) may be located adjacent to the water tank (40). For example, the pump (41) may be located upstream of the purified water channel (130). When the pump (41) is in operation, purified water stored in the water tank (40) may be supplied to the water outlet (20) and / or the faucet (70) through the cold water / purified water outlet (1142) in a water purifier (1) having an under-sink structure as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0069] According to one embodiment, a flow sensor (131) for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the water purification channel (130) may be disposed in the water purification channel (130). In one embodiment, the flow sensor (131) may be disposed upstream of the water purification channel (130). For example, the flow sensor (131) may be disposed at the rear end of the pump (41). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The flow sensor (131) may measure a sensing value for the flow rate of water flowing along the water purification channel (130) when the pump (41) is operating.

[0070] In one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a cold water passage (140) branching off from and rejoining the purified water passage (130). In one embodiment, the cold water passage (140) may connect the water tank (40), the cooling module (51), and the cold water / purified water outlet (1142) to each other.

[0071] According to one embodiment, a cooling module (51), which is a heat exchanger (50) for cooling purified water, may be placed in the cold water conduit (140). Although not specifically shown in this drawing, the cooling module (51) may include a heat exchanger (or evaporator) for heat exchange.

[0072] According to one embodiment, a cold water valve (141) may be arranged in the cold water conduit (140) to control whether cold water is discharged and / or the amount of cold water discharged.

[0073] When the cold water valve (141) is opened and the pump (41) is operated, the purified water stored in the water tank (40) flows from the purified water passage (130) to the cold water passage (140), is cooled through the cooling module (51), and can be supplied to the cold water / purified water outlet (1142).

[0074] In one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a hot water passage (150) branching from and rejoining the water purification passage (130). In one embodiment, the hot water passage (150) may connect the water tank (40), the heating module (52), and the hot water outlet (1143) to each other.

[0075] According to one embodiment, a heating module (52), which is a heat exchanger (50) for heating purified water, may be placed in the hot water passage (150). Although not specifically shown in this drawing, the heating module (52) may include a heat exchanger (or condenser) or heater for heat exchange.

[0076] According to one embodiment, a hot water valve (151) may be arranged in the hot water passage (150) to control whether hot water is discharged and / or the amount of hot water discharged.

[0077] When the hot water valve (151) is opened and the pump (41) is operated, the purified water stored in the water tank (40) flows from the purified water passage (130) to the hot water passage (150), is heated through the heating module (52), and can be supplied to the hot water outlet (1143).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the water purifier body (10) may include a drainage passage (160) connecting a drainage inlet (1144) and a drainage outlet (1145). In one embodiment, the drainage passage (160) may include at least one pipe. In one embodiment, the drainage passage (160) may be connected to each of the filter unit (30) and the heating module (52) through the pipes. For example, the filter unit (30) may be connected to the downstream side of the drainage passage (160). For example, the heating module (52) may be connected to the upstream side of the drainage passage (160). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0079] According to one embodiment, a drain valve (161) may be disposed in the drainage path (160) to control the flow of drainage discharged to the outside by opening and closing the drainage path (160). In addition, although not specifically illustrated in this drawing, a check valve (not illustrated) to prevent backflow of drainage may be disposed in the actor path (160).

[0080] When the drain valve (161) is opened, the drainage that has entered through the drain inlet (1144) can be delivered to the drain outlet (1145) through the drain path (160). For example, stagnant water on the faucet or other internal paths, which is generated due to cleaning, sterilization, cooling, heating of water, or other various causes inside the water purifier (1), can be delivered to the drain outlet (1145) through the drain path (160).

[0081] According to one embodiment, a water tank (40) may be connected to a recovery pipe (22), which is described below, through which purified water supplied to the water outlet (20) is recovered in specific situations (e.g., pipe blockage). The specific structure, shape, and function of the recovery pipe (22) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0082] Meanwhile, the terms upstream and downstream, or front and rear, used in this disclosure are determined based on the direction in which water flows within the water purifier body (10). Accordingly, the side closer to the direction in which raw water flows is the upstream or front end, and the opposite side is the downstream or rear end.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a drawing schematically showing the connection relationship between a water tank and a water outlet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the outlet shown in Figure 4, viewed from another direction.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a recovery pipe connected inside a water tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the position of one end of a recovery pipe inside a water tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the outlet (20) with the housing (not shown) forming the exterior removed.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, a water outlet (20) according to one embodiment may include a water outlet nozzle (21), a recovery pipe (22) branched from the upper side of the water outlet nozzle (21), and a water supply pipe (P1), and a connecting member (23, 24) connecting the water outlet nozzle (21) and / or the recovery pipe (22).

[0089] According to one embodiment, the water outlet (20) can be connected to a water tank (40) and a pump (41) via a water supply pipe (P1). The water supply pipe (P1) is illustrated as a single pipe in this drawing for convenience of explanation, but the water supply pipe (P1) can include a plurality of flow paths (e.g., 130 to 150 in FIG. 3) connected to inlets (e.g., 1141 to 1143 in FIG. 3) as described above in FIG. 3.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the water outlet nozzle (21) is a pipe through which purified water supplied from the water purifier body (e.g., the water purifier body (10) of FIG. 1) (specifically, the water tank (40)) ultimately flows, and one end of which may be opened for the purpose of supplying purified water. In one embodiment, the water outlet nozzle (21) may be bent downward to have an overall “ㄱ” shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the water outlet nozzle (21) may be integrally provided at one end of the water supply pipe (P1) and implemented as a single water supply pipe.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) may be formed to branch from the upper side of the water outlet nozzle (21) and extend into the water tank (40). In one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) may be extended by bending multiple times from the water outlet nozzle (21). In one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) may be connected to the water supply pipe (P1) and the water outlet nozzle (21) through connecting members (23, 24). For example, one end (22a) of the recovery pipe (22) may be connected to the water supply pipe (P1) and the water outlet nozzle (21) through connecting members (23, 24). For example, the other end (22b) of the recovery pipe (22) may be connected to the inside of the water tank (40). When the water outlet nozzle is provided integrally with the water supply pipe, the recovery pipe may branch from the water supply pipe and extend into the water tank (40). For example, the recovery pipe may extend integrally from the water supply pipe. In this case, the connecting member (23, 24) may be omitted. For example, the recovery pipe may extend from the water supply pipe as a separate pipe.

[0092] In a water purifier (1) with an under-sink structure and not equipped with a recovery pipe (22), when the pump (41) stops operating, some of the purified water discharged through the outlet nozzle (21) may not be discharged due to the height difference between the water tank (40) and the outlet (20) or the pressure difference with the outside, and may remain inside the outlet nozzle (21) or continue to flow to the outside. In this case, there is a risk that the outlet nozzle (21) may freeze due to purified water remaining inside the outlet nozzle (21) under conditions of low outside temperature, such as in winter.

[0093] However, in the case where a water purifier (1) of an under-sink structure as in the present disclosure is provided with a recovery pipe (22), the inside of the water tank (40) and the water supply pipe (P1) and / or the water outlet nozzle (21) are connected through the recovery pipe (22), so that the height difference between the water tank (40) and the water outlet (20) or the pressure difference with the outside is resolved, so that when the pump (41) stops operating, the purified water remaining inside the water outlet nozzle (21) can be discharged to the outside. Accordingly, freezing due to the purified water remaining inside the water outlet nozzle (21) can also be prevented under conditions of low outside temperature, such as in winter.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the other end (22b) of the recovery pipe (22) may be positioned within the water tank (40) to have a predetermined height difference (Δh) with the maximum water level (W_h) of the water tank (40). For example, the other end (22b) of the recovery pipe (22) may be positioned outside the water surface so as not to be submerged in the purified water stored in the water tank (40).

[0095] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the recovery pipe (22) (D2 in FIG. 8a) may be designed to be smaller than the diameter of the outlet nozzle (21) (D1 in FIG. 8a) or the diameter of the water supply pipe (P1). In this case, the purified water flowing along the water supply pipe (P1) according to the operation of the pump (41) can be prevented to a certain extent from flowing back to the recovery pipe (22) rather than the outlet nozzle (21).

[0096] According to one embodiment, the connecting member (23, 24) may include a first connecting member (23) and a second connecting member (24).

[0097] In one embodiment, the first connecting member (23) may be configured to connect the water supply pipe (P1), the water outlet nozzle (21), and the return pipe (22) to each other. In one embodiment, the first connecting member (23) may include a first connecting portion (231) connected to the water supply pipe (P1), a second connecting portion (232) extending parallel to the first connecting portion (231) and connected to the water outlet nozzle (21), and a third connecting portion (233) extending perpendicular to the first connecting portion (231) and the second connecting portion (232) and connected to the return pipe (22). For example, the first connecting member (23) may include a T-shaped fitting.

[0098] In one embodiment, the second connecting member (24) may be configured to connect the first connecting member (23) and the water supply pipe (P1) or the return pipe (22), respectively. For example, the second connecting member (24) may include a second-first connecting member (24a) connecting the first connecting portion (231) of the first connecting member (23) and the water supply pipe (P1), and a second-second connecting member (24b) connecting the third connecting portion (233) of the first connecting member (23) and the return pipe (22). In one embodiment, the second connecting member (24) may have a bent shape. For example, the second connecting member (24) may include an L-shaped fitting.

[0099] FIG. 8a is a drawing showing the flow of purified water when the outlet nozzle is open during pump operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] FIG. 8b is a drawing showing the flow of purified water when the outlet nozzle is closed during pump operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Referring to Fig. 8a, when a pump (e.g., pump (41) of Fig. 4) is operated, purified water stored in a water tank (e.g., water tank (40) of Fig. 4) flows upward along a water supply pipe (P1), then passes through a connecting member (24a) to flow into and discharge the water outlet nozzle (21) so as to be provided to a user. At this time, purified water flowing from the water supply pipe (P1) to the connecting member (24a) may flow into the water outlet nozzle (21) instead of the recovery pipe (22) due to the difference in diameter between the recovery pipe (22) and the water outlet nozzle (21) and / or the water supply pipe (P1) as described above.

[0102] In the case of the water outlet (20), foreign substances contained in the purified water may accumulate on the wall of the water outlet nozzle (21) depending on the use of the water purifier (1), or the water outlet nozzle (21) may become blocked due to freezing caused by low outside temperatures such as in winter. In this way, when the water purifier (1) is used with the water outlet nozzle (21) blocked, there is a concern that purified water may leak through the gap between the connecting members (23, 24) connecting the pipes due to an increase in internal pressure in the pipes.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 8b, when a recovery pipe (22) is provided as in the present disclosure, when the pump (41) is operated, the purified water stored in the water tank (40) is not discharged through the discharge nozzle (21) blocked by an obstacle (S) (e.g., foreign matter or frozen purified water) but is returned to the water tank (40) along the recovery pipe (22), thereby preventing water leakage through the gap between the connecting members (23, 24) or damage to the connecting members (23, 24) due to an increase in pressure inside the pipe.

[0104] A water purifier (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a water tank (40) in which purified water is stored. The water purifier (1) may include a water outlet (20) that is connected to the water tank (40) through a water supply pipe (P1) and discharges purified water supplied from the water tank (40) to the outside. The water outlet (20) may include a water outlet nozzle (21) and a recovery pipe (22) that branches upward from the water outlet nozzle (21) and extends into the water tank (40), forms an air flow between the water tank (40) and the water outlet nozzle (21), and is configured to recover purified water supplied to the water outlet (20) into the water tank (40).

[0105] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) may include one end (22a) connected to the discharge nozzle (21) and the other end (22b) extending into the water tank (40). The other end (22b) of the recovery pipe (22) may be positioned at a position higher than the highest water level of the water tank (40).

[0106] According to one embodiment, the water purifier (1) may have an under-sink structure in which the water outlet (20) and the water tank (40) are arranged so that they have a height difference from each other.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the diameter (D2) of the recovery pipe (22) may be designed to be smaller than the diameter of the water supply pipe (P1) or the water discharge nozzle (21).

[0108] According to one embodiment, the water purifier (1) is connected to the water tank (40) and may further include a pump (42) that supplies water to the water outlet (20).

[0109] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) can provide an air path that connects the internal atmosphere of the water tank (40) and the external atmosphere of the water discharge nozzle (21) when the pump (42) is stopped from operating.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) may form a recovery path that circulates purified water of the water tank (40) together with the water supply pipe (P1) when the pump (42) is operated in a blocked state of the pipe of the water discharge nozzle (21).

[0111] According to one embodiment, the water outlet (20) may further include a connecting member (23) that connects the water supply pipe (P1), the water outlet nozzle (21), and the recovery pipe (22) to each other.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the connecting member (23) may include a first connecting portion (231), a second connecting portion (232) extending parallel to the first connecting portion (231), and a third connecting portion (233) extending perpendicular to the first connecting portion (231) and the second connecting portion (232).

[0113] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) is connected to the third connecting portion (233) and can extend by bending a predetermined portion from the third connecting portion (233).

[0114] A water purifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a water tank (40) in which purified water is stored. The water purifier may include a water supply pipe extending upward from the water tank (40) and supplying purified water stored in the water tank (40) to the outside. The water purifier may include a recovery pipe (22) branching upward from the water supply pipe, extending into the water tank (40), and configured to form an air flow between the water tank (40) and the water supply pipe and to recover purified water flowing along the water supply pipe into the water tank (40).

[0115] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (22) may include one end (22a) branched from the water supply pipe and the other end (22b) extending into the water tank (40). The other end (22b) of the recovery pipe (22) may be positioned at a position higher than the highest water level of the water tank (40).

[0116] According to one embodiment, the water purifier may have an under-sink structure in which the outlet of the water supply pipe through which purified water is discharged and the water tank (40) are arranged so that they have a height difference from each other.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the diameter (D2) of the recovery pipe (22) may be designed to be smaller than the diameter of the supply pipe.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the water purifier may further include a pump (42) connected to the water tank (40) and configured to supply water to the water supply pipe. The recovery pipe (22) may provide an air passage connecting the internal atmosphere of the water tank (40) and the external atmosphere of the water supply pipe when the pump (42) is stopped from operating. The recovery pipe (22) may form a recovery passage for circulating purified water of the water tank (40) together with the water supply pipe when the pump (42) is operated in a state where the water supply pipe is clogged.

Claims

1. In the water purifier (1), A water tank (40) in which purified water is stored; and It includes a water outlet (20) that is connected to the water tank (40) and a water supply pipe (P1) and discharges purified water supplied from the water tank (40) to the outside. The above outlet (20) is outlet nozzle (21); and A water purifier including a recovery pipe (22) branched from the upper side of the water discharge nozzle (21) and extended into the inside of the water tank (40), configured to form an air flow between the water tank (40) and the water discharge nozzle (21), and to recover purified water supplied to the water discharge port (20) into the water tank (40).

2. In paragraph 1, The above recovery pipe (22) includes one end (22a) connected to the discharge nozzle (21) and the other end (22b) extended into the water tank (40). A water purifier in which the other end (22b) of the above recovery pipe (22) is positioned higher than the highest water level of the water tank (40).

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The above water purifier (1) is A water purifier having an under-sink structure in which the water outlet (20) and the water tank (40) are arranged so that they have a height difference from each other.

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, A water purifier in which the diameter (D2) of the above recovery pipe (22) is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the above water supply pipe (P1) or the above water discharge nozzle (21).

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, A water purifier further comprising a pump (42) connected to the water tank (40) and supplying water to the water outlet (20).

6. In paragraph 5, The above recovery pipe (22) is A water purifier that provides an air path that connects the internal atmosphere of the water tank (40) and the external atmosphere of the water discharge nozzle (21) when the above pump (42) stops operating.

7. In paragraph 5 or 6, The above recovery pipe (22) is A water purifier that forms a recovery path that circulates purified water in the water tank (40) together with the water supply pipe (P1) when the pump (42) is operated in a blocked state of the pipe of the water discharge nozzle (21).

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, The above outlet (20) is A water purifier further comprising a connecting member (23) connecting the water supply pipe (P1), the water discharge nozzle (21), and the return pipe (22) to each other.

9. In paragraph 8, The above connecting member (23) is, A water purifier comprising a first connecting portion (231), a second connecting portion (232) extending parallel to the first connecting portion (231), and a third connecting portion (233) extending perpendicularly to the first connecting portion (231) and the second connecting portion (232).

10. In paragraph 9, A water purifier in which the above recovery pipe (22) is connected to the third connecting portion (233) and extends from the third connecting portion (233) by a predetermined bend.

11. In the water purifier, A water tank (40) where purified water is stored; A water supply pipe extending upward from the water tank (40) and supplying purified water stored in the water tank (40) to the outside; and A water purifier including a recovery pipe (22) branched upward from the water supply pipe and extended into the water tank (40), configured to form an air flow between the water tank (40) and the water supply pipe and to recover purified water flowing along the water supply pipe into the water tank (40).

12. In paragraph 11, The above recovery pipe (22) includes one end (22a) branched from the water supply pipe and the other end (22b) extended into the water tank (40). A water purifier in which the other end (22b) of the above recovery pipe (22) is positioned higher than the highest water level of the water tank (40).

13. In paragraph 11 or 12, The above water purifier, A water purifier having an under-sink structure in which the outlet of the water supply pipe through which purified water is discharged and the water tank are arranged so that they have a height difference from each other.

14. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 13, A water purifier in which the diameter (D2) of the above recovery pipe (22) is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the above water supply pipe.

15. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 14, It further includes a pump (42) connected to the above water tank (40) and configured to supply water to the water supply pipe, The above recovery pipe (22) is When the above pump (42) is terminated, an air path is provided to connect the internal atmosphere of the water tank (40) and the external atmosphere of the water supply pipe. A water purifier comprising a recovery path that circulates purified water from the water tank (40) together with the water supply pipe when the pump (42) is operated in a clogged state of the water supply pipe.

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