Food disposal apparatus

The built-in food waste disposer addresses odor and hygiene issues by implementing a horizontal movement structure for solid-liquid separation, a detachable design, and a suction module, ensuring efficient waste decomposition and collection without crushing, enhancing user convenience and environmental friendliness.

WO2025254465A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-12-11LG ELECTRONICS INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2025/007696
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-06-05
Filing Date
2025-06-05
Publication Date
2025-12-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing sink-integrated food waste disposers face issues such as foul odors due to microbial decomposition, inefficient solid-liquid separation, difficulty in maintaining hygiene, and improper discharge of food waste, leading to bacterial growth and clogging.

Method used

A built-in food waste disposer with a horizontal movement structure for solid-liquid separation, a detachable and washable design, and a suction module for odor removal, along with a transfer unit that ensures only decomposed waste is collected, preventing unprocessed waste from entering the drain.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides an environmentally friendly, hygienic, and efficient food waste disposal system that minimizes odors, optimizes space usage, and ensures proper waste decomposition without crushing, facilitating easy maintenance and effective waste management.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A food disposal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a decomposition unit including a decomposition tank in which food input from an inlet is decomposed; a collection unit for storing the decomposed food; a conveying unit for conveying, to the collection unit, the food decomposed in the decomposition unit; and a conveying port which is located between the collection unit and the decomposition tank and through which the decomposed food passes. The conveying unit includes: a decomposition tank propeller that is rotatably mounted in the decomposition unit and conveys, to the conveying unit, the food decomposed in the decomposition unit; and a conveying screw that conveys, to the collection unit, the food conveyed via the decomposition tank propeller. The conveying screw opens and closes the conveying port while rotating.
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Description

food waste disposer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a food waste disposer, and more particularly, to a built-in type food waste disposer that can be installed inside a sink.

[0002] Generally, food waste disposers are divided into built-in type, which is installed under the sink and is integrated into the sink so that food waste is directly fed into the sink inlet and processed, and standing type, which is installed separately from the sink and collects and processes dehydrated solid food waste.

[0003] In the case of a stand-alone food waste disposer, solid food waste that has undergone dehydration is collected and decomposed into inorganic substances mainly through decomposition using microorganisms, and the decomposed waste is collected and discharged.

[0004] Meanwhile, in the case of a sink built-in food waste disposer, it includes a crusher that crushes food waste fed through the inlet and a dehydrator that dehydrates the crushed food waste.

[0005] Typically, food waste is processed sequentially through grinding and dehydration. Food waste passes through a grinder, a dehydrator, and then is loaded into a loading bin. The liquid separated from the food waste is discharged through a drain hose. Remaining food waste is collected in a food waste collection bin and disposed of once a certain amount has accumulated.

[0006] Users select and use food waste disposers according to the food waste disposal method and installation method, taking into account various factors such as environmental conditions and preferences.

[0007] However, both built-in and stand-alone food waste disposers capture food waste for a set amount of time to process it. During this time, the food waste decomposes, generating a foul odor. Microbial-based food waste disposers, in particular, face the problem of generating a particularly strong odor due to the high temperatures and humidity required for decomposition.

[0008] Korean Patent No. 2017-0107837 discloses a food waste treatment device installed under a sink to process food waste. In this patent, microorganisms are used in the decomposition unit to mix food waste with the food waste, resulting in fermentation and the formation of compost. However, this technology uses a method whereby the generated compost particles, once small enough to pass through perforations and be discharged into the sewer along with water, are discharged.

[0009] Furthermore, if food waste is continuously discharged through the perforations on the underside of the decomposition unit as small particles without additional food input, the problem of all food and microorganisms being discharged from the decomposition unit arises. In particular, if the food waste disposer is not used for an extended period of time, the problem of microorganisms dying within the decomposition unit arises.

[0010] In order to prevent the discharge of these microorganisms, there are cases where a microbial medium is placed in the decomposition unit, but in most cases, when the decomposition unit is used for a long period of time, the medium becomes deformed due to friction between the stirring body and the perforation, and loses its function.

[0011] Meanwhile, Japanese Patent No. 4022036B2, a prior art technology, relates to a dehydration and shredding device for food waste. The device comprises a plurality of separate treatment chambers for dehydration and shredding. In the treatment chambers, dehydrated food waste passes through a fermentation chamber and a drying chamber, where it is stirred by a stirrer to undergo fermentation and drying.

[0012] In this type of treatment room, when drying progresses by stirring and the first space is filled, it overflows and moves to the second space, and when the second space is filled, it overflows again and moves to the third space, and is then discharged through the discharge port.

[0013] However, this overflow method only discharges the processed food that exceeds the bulkhead height, making precise control of the discharged food impossible. Furthermore, there is the problem of fermented food being discharged through a sloped discharge outlet.

[0014] In the case of integrated sinks, such as those described in Korean Patent No. 2011-0031805, the food waste disposer is installed in a conventional sink, such as at the bottom. The sink's outlet is replaced by the food waste disposer's inlet, allowing users to conveniently dispose of food waste through the outlet. Furthermore, once installed, the water supply and drainage systems are stable and the food waste disposer is not visible, contributing to aesthetic appeal.

[0015] However, since the sink-integrated food waste disposer is not easy to maintain, such as disassembly and replacement, once installed, if the area that comes into contact with food is not cleaned in a timely manner, the disadvantages of bacterial growth and bad odors are prominent.

[0016] Therefore, the need for technology that can improve the problems of existing patents in sink-integrated food waste disposers is increasingly emphasized. In particular, consideration must be given to methods that ensure that only food that has been decomposed to a certain level is transported. Furthermore, in cases of dehydration after grinding, technology that allows dehydration without grinding is required to prevent the risk of crushed food waste being discharged into the drain along with the water. Furthermore, to implement an environmentally friendly food waste disposer, high-efficiency decomposition conditions are required for fermentation of incoming food waste without grinding.

[0017] In addition, in the prior art, Korean Patent No. 101229655 discloses a food waste treatment device including an inlet into which dehydrated food waste is input and an outlet through which dried food waste is discharged.

[0018] In the conventional technology, when dehydrated food waste is fed into a dryer, the stirring blade rotates in reverse to transport the food waste toward the crushing section, causing friction with the crushing blade and crushing the food waste into small particles.

[0019] The crushed food waste is stirred in the dryer, and when drying is complete, the stirring blade rotates forward to discharge the crushed and dried food waste through the discharge port on the opposite side of the crushing unit.

[0020] Because the exhaust port is located below the dryer, debris can accumulate between the dryer and its outlet. This can cause debris to accumulate inside the dryer, hindering smooth mixing, straining the agitator, and potentially causing mold growth. Furthermore, stagnant debris can clog the outlet, hindering the smooth discharge of dried food.

[0021] Furthermore, in conventional technology, even after the agitator has completed agitation and drying, new food waste entering through the inlet is mixed with already dried and ground food waste. Discharging food waste through the agitator's rotation also presents a problem: food waste that has not yet been ground and dried is discharged.

[0022] [Prior Art Literature]

[0023] [Patent Document]

[0024] Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0107837 (Published: September 26, 2017)

[0025] Japanese Patent Publication No. 4022036B2 (Published: December 18, 2001)

[0026] Korean Patent No. 101229655

[0027]

[0028] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a built-in type food waste disposer that can collect and remove food waste by fermenting it without crushing it in a sink-integrated food waste disposer.

[0029] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solid-liquid separation module having a horizontal movement structure that, when food waste is input, moves horizontally in a solid state with liquid removed from the input inlet and is transferred to a lower decomposition unit.

[0030] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a detachable and assembleable structure that can be washed and maintained by separating all individual food contacting components from a horizontal transport structure.

[0031] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solid-liquid separation module having a suction module that can form negative pressure inside a food waste disposer and suck odors inside from an inlet connected to a sink drain and discharge them through a sewer pipe.

[0032] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a food waste disposer in which a waste transfer unit for collecting only the waste fermented in the decomposition unit into an adjacent collection unit is arranged above the collection unit, thereby utilizing the limited space under the sink and, in particular, minimizing the space other than the space where food is fermented or collected.

[0033] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a food waste disposer that restricts food waste discharged from a solid-liquid separation unit from flowing directly into a collection unit and prevents food waste not decomposed in a decomposition unit from flowing into the collection unit.

[0034] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a food waste disposer that prevents water used by a user from easily flowing into the food waste disposal space of the food waste disposer and, even if it does flow in, discharges the water through a discharge hole regardless of the operation of the food waste disposer.

[0035]

[0036] A food waste disposer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a decomposition unit including a decomposition tank in which food input from an input port is decomposed, a collection unit for storing the decomposed food, a transfer unit for transferring the food decomposed in the decomposition unit to the collection unit, and a transfer port located between the collection unit and the decomposition tank through which the decomposed food passes, wherein the transfer unit transfers the food decomposed in the decomposition unit to the transfer unit, and includes a decomposition tank propeller rotatably installed in the decomposition unit and a transfer screw for transferring the food transferred through the decomposition tank propeller to the collection unit, wherein the transfer screw is characterized in that it opens and closes the transfer port while rotating.

[0037] The above transport unit further includes a motor that rotates the disintegration tank propeller and the transport screw, and the disintegration tank propeller is coupled to the rotation axis of the transport screw and can rotate together with the transport screw.

[0038] The method further includes a bulkhead positioned between the collection unit and the decomposition tank, and the decomposition tank propeller and the transfer screw can be connected to each other by penetrating the bulkhead.

[0039] The above-mentioned decomposition tank propeller and the above-mentioned transfer screw can be arranged to face each other with respect to the above-mentioned bulkhead.

[0040] The above-mentioned transport screw includes a screw portion that transports the food to a collection portion, and a door that opens and closes the transport port when the transport screw rotates, and the door can be positioned between the transport screw and the bulkhead.

[0041] The above door can protrude in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the transfer screw from the rotation axis of the transfer screw.

[0042] The above door may have a fan-shaped shape centered on the rotation axis of the above transfer screw.

[0043] The above-mentioned transport unit may further include a position cam that protrudes from the rotation axis of the transport screw to recognize the position of the door, and a door sensor that detects the position cam.

[0044] The above transport unit further includes a motor that rotates the decomposition tank propeller and the transport screw, and the motor can be stopped when a signal for stopping rotation is input and a signal for the door position is input from the door sensor.

[0045] The above-mentioned transfer unit further includes a motor that rotates the disintegration tank propeller and the transfer screw, and the transfer port is positioned to overlap the transfer screw in the direction of the rotation axis of the transfer screw, and during rotation of the motor, the transfer port can alternately repeat an overlapping state in which the door and the transfer screw overlap in the direction of the rotation axis and a non-overlapping state in which they do not overlap.

[0046] The above decomposition tank propeller may include a propeller rotation shaft coupled to the rotation shaft of the transfer screw, a first propeller extending from the propeller rotation shaft in a direction intersecting the propeller rotation shaft, and a second propeller extending from the propeller rotation shaft in a direction opposite to the first propeller.

[0047] The above-mentioned decomposition propeller may further include a removal propeller extending in a direction parallel to the propeller rotation axis from one end of the first propeller.

[0048] Additionally, the present disclosure further includes a bulkhead positioned between the collection unit and the decomposition tank, and the first propeller can be positioned between the removal propeller and the bulkhead.

[0049] The above-mentioned transport screw includes a screw portion that transports the food to a collection portion, and a door that opens and closes the transport port when the transport screw rotates, and the door may be positioned to overlap the second propeller and the transport screw in the direction of the rotation axis, and may be positioned to not overlap the first propeller and the removal propeller in the direction of the rotation axis of the transport screw.

[0050] The above bulkhead further includes a connecting hole through which the rotation axis of the decomposition tank propeller passes, and the transfer port may have an arc shape centered on the connecting hole.

[0051]

[0052] Through the above solution, the food waste disposer is easy to post-process and environmentally friendly as it decomposes food into microorganisms.

[0053] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, in a sink-integrated food waste disposer, fermentation is performed in a solid state without crushing food waste, thereby preventing discharge of food waste into a drain due to crushing, making it environmentally friendly.

[0054] The present disclosure provides various structures that can transfer solids to the lower decomposition unit by horizontally moving them in a solid state with liquid removed from the input inlet when food waste is input, thereby utilizing a minimum space and moving them to the lower decomposition unit.

[0055] In addition, the present disclosure can provide a food waste disposer that can be used hygienically because all individual components that come into contact with food in a horizontal transport structure can be separated and washed and managed.

[0056] In addition, it can form negative pressure inside the food waste disposer and suck odors inside from the inlet connected to the sink drain and discharge them through the sewer pipe, thereby minimizing the user's discomfort caused by odors.

[0057] In addition, the lower module including the decomposition section and the collection section is formed in a drawer shape and can be completely separated from the main body, allowing for easy removal of microorganisms and decomposed matter and removal of lost items.

[0058] In addition, the limited space under the sink can be optimally utilized by performing horizontal-vertical movement where moisture is removed from the inlet and food is thrown into the lower decomposition section by moving horizontally, and horizontal movement from a high position considering particle size and vertical drop to the collection section for the movement of the decomposed matter generated in the decomposition section to the adjacent collection section.

[0059] In addition, the present disclosure has the advantage of preventing water used by a user from easily flowing into the food waste treatment space of a food waste treatment device from flowing into the sink faucet, and even if it does, discharging the water through a discharge hole regardless of the operation of the food waste treatment device, thereby protecting microorganisms in the treatment space from dying due to excessive water input, and preventing damage to other components due to water overflowing into the treatment space.

[0060] In addition, the present disclosure has the advantage of allowing the user to recognize the correct position by inserting a protrusion that extends downward from the bottom of the filter and is positioned eccentrically from the center of the filter into a discharge hole positioned at the bottom of the filter in order for the filter used in the solid-liquid separation unit to move back and forth by the moving means, and if the filter is incorrectly attached, the filter is exposed to the outside of the solid-liquid separation space, so that the user can attach the filter at the correct position.

[0061] In addition, the present disclosure has the advantage that the discharge portion and the stirring space do not constantly contact each other, so that food that has not been stirred or dried is restricted from being moved from the decomposition tank to the collection portion.

[0062] In addition, the present disclosure has the advantage that the decomposition unit that decomposes food and the transport unit that transports the decomposed food to the collection unit are operated by separate motors and / or sensors, so that the user can select the time to collect the fermented and dried food.

[0063] In addition, the present disclosure has the advantage of easily controlling the opening and closing of the door by opening and closing the door connecting the transfer section and the decomposition section through which food is discharged from the high-liquid separation section, thereby restricting food that is not decomposed in the decomposition section from moving to the transfer section, and physically synchronizing the opening of the transfer section with the rotation of the transfer section to open the transfer section.

[0064]

[0065] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a food waste disposer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body and lower module of a food waste disposer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the food waste disposer of Figure 1.

[0068] Figure 4 is a front view showing the inside of the food waste disposer of Figure 1.

[0069] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the input portion of the food waste disposer of Fig. 1.

[0070] Fig. 6a is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the input section of Fig. 5 taken along line Ⅰ-Ⅰ', and Fig. 6b is a detailed perspective view of the cover section and the cover guide.

[0071] Figures 7a and 7b are detailed drawings of the solid-liquid separation unit of the food waste disposer of Figure 1.

[0072] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the inside of the lower module of the food waste disposer of Fig. 1.

[0073] Fig. 9a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Fig. 9a-Fig. 9a' of Fig. 8.

[0074] Figure 9b is an enlarged view of area c of Figure 9a.

[0075] Figure 9c is an exploded perspective view of the disassembly tank propeller and transfer screw illustrated in Figure 9a.

[0076] Figure 9d is a drawing showing the operation of the decomposition tank propeller.

[0077] Figure 9e is a drawing showing the door closing the transport port.

[0078] Figure 9f is a drawing showing the door of the transport port opening.

[0079] Figures 10a and 10b are state diagrams showing the combination of a transport unit and a collection unit.

[0080] Fig. 11 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the drainage deodorization module of the food waste disposer of Fig. 1.

[0081]

[0082] The expressions referring to directions such as “front (F) / back (R) / left (Le) / right (Ri) / upper (U) / lower (D)” mentioned below are defined as indicated in the drawings, but this is only for the purpose of explaining so that the present disclosure can be clearly understood, and it goes without saying that each direction can be defined differently depending on where the standard is set.

[0083] The use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., preceding components mentioned below is intended solely to avoid confusion regarding the components they refer to, and has no bearing on the order, importance, or dominant-subordinate relationship between the components. For example, an embodiment that includes only the second component and no first component is also possible.

[0084] The thickness and size of each component in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity. Furthermore, the size and area of ​​each component do not entirely reflect its actual size or area.

[0085] Additionally, the angles and directions mentioned in the process of describing the structure of the present disclosure are based on those described in the drawings. If the reference point and positional relationship for angles are not clearly mentioned in the description of the structure in the specification, reference should be made to the relevant drawings.

[0086] Hereinafter, a food waste disposer (10) according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0087] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a food waste disposer (10) according to one embodiment of the present specification, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main body (700) and a lower module (750) of a food waste disposer (10) according to one embodiment of the present specification, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the food waste disposer (10) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing the inside of the food waste disposer (10) of FIG. 1.

[0088] The food waste disposer (10) of the present disclosure is a microbial decomposition method, and food waste, which is the object of disposal, is introduced through an inlet (11) located at the top of the food waste disposer (10) and undergoes a decomposition process inside the food waste disposer (10). The composted waste, which is decomposed by microorganisms and turned into compost, is discharged through an outlet (12) located at the bottom of the food waste disposer (10), and is received in a collection unit (500) and then discharged to the outside all at once.

[0089] The food waste disposer (10) can be installed as an integral part (3) inside the sink (1). When the food waste disposer (10) is built into the sink (1), the inlet (100) of the food waste disposer (10) can be provided with a size and shape corresponding to the drain (4) on the bottom surface of the sink bowl (2). Therefore, when the food waste disposer (10) is installed in the sink (1), it can be conveniently used by connecting the inlet (100) of the food waste disposer (10) to the drain (4) of the existing sink bowl (2) without the need for a separate sink bowl (2) for connection.

[0090] The food waste disposer (10) of the present disclosure built into the interior (3) of the sink (1) is implemented to have an upper surface that is arranged parallel to the sink bowl (2) of the sink (1), a lower surface that is parallel to the upper surface and faces the bottom of the sink (1), and front, back, left, and right sides between the upper surface and the lower surface, and to have an internal space.

[0091] The front of the food waste disposer (10) is defined as the side facing the user when the user stands in front of the sink (1), the back is defined as the side that is parallel to the front and faces the back of the sink (1), the side that is bent to the left from the front is defined as the left side, and the side that is bent to the right from the front is defined as the right side.

[0092] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper and lower surfaces of the food waste disposer (10) have different areas, and a rear recessed portion (15) is formed according to the difference in the areas of the upper and lower surfaces, and a distributor (not shown) inside the sink (1) (3) can be positioned in the rear recessed portion (15).

[0093] The left and right sides are also formed into a square shape with at least a portion of the side facing the back being sunken by the back recess (15).

[0094] Accordingly, the food waste disposer (10) according to the present disclosure has an overall hexahedral shape, but may have a portion sunken at the lower back, and may be provided in various ways depending on the shape of the sink (1). That is, if the upper inlet (100) of the food waste disposer (10) is arranged so that it can be connected to the drain (4) of the sink (1), and the drain / deodorization module (600) of the food waste disposer (10) is arranged so that it can be connected to the drain pipe of the sink (1), it can be transformed into any structure as long as it has an internal space.

[0095] The food waste disposer (10) is configured with an upper module (710) having an inlet (11) arranged on the upper surface of the food waste disposer (10), a solid-liquid separation unit (200) connected to the inlet and separating the incoming food waste into solids and liquids and transporting the solids, and a lower module (750) arranged below the upper module (710).

[0096] The upper module (710) may include a display unit (14) on the front of the food waste disposer (10) and is integrated into the main body (700) (entire housing) of the food waste disposer (10).

[0097] The display unit (14) can display information about the temperature and humidity within the decomposition unit (300), the degree of maturation, and the remaining filling amount of the collection unit (500).

[0098] The lower module (750) is a functional module for receiving food from the upper module (710) and fermenting and storing it. It is integrated into one module and can be separated from the main body (700) in which the upper module (710) is placed.

[0099] The lower module (750) can be separated from the main body (700) by pulling it out in the first direction, i.e., in the front-back direction, from the front of the food waste disposer (10). By separating the lower module (750), it is possible to directly collect the decomposing matter and microorganisms that are decomposed within the decomposition unit (300) mounted on the lower module (750), and to clean the inside of the decomposition unit (300).

[0100] Various techniques can be applied to facilitate the assembly and separation of the lower module (750) from the main body (700). For example, the lower module (750) can be detached from the main body (700) in a drawer-like manner.

[0101] The input cover (111) covers the inlet (11) so that it can be opened and closed, but is provided to cover most of the area of ​​the inlet (11) so that the odor of the input food does not escape.

[0102] The collection unit (500) stores decomposed food waste. The collection unit (500) implements a sealed structure so that no foul odors generated inside the food waste disposer (10) leak out.

[0103] The food waste disposer (10) of the present disclosure is connected to a water supply pipe formed in a sink (1) and supplies moisture to the inside, and a drain / deodorization module (600) connected to a drain pipe formed in the sink (1) separates solid and liquid from food waste, and the liquid discharged is discharged immediately, while the odor or moisture discharged from each module is guided to be discharged to the drain pipe through the drain / deodorization module (600). Therefore, it has a structure that is directly connected to the water supply pipe and drain pipe of the sink (1), and does not have a separate hole through which odor is discharged to the outside, so when the food waste disposer (10) is operated and the inlet cover (111) is covered, the inside has a sealed structure.

[0104] The collection unit (500) connected to the outlet (12) of the food waste disposer (10) is detachable from the outlet (12). The separated collection unit (500) can empty the collected waste and be reassembled into the food waste disposer (10). The collection unit (500) can be installed in the food waste disposer (10).

[0105] The input cover (111) may be provided in a circular shape so as to be rotatable at the inlet (11). Specifically, the input cover (111) can be secured by simply being fitted into the inlet (11) to ensure a sealing force between the input cover (111) and the inlet (11). Therefore, the coupling of the input cover (111) and the inlet (11) to the extent of fitting or securing is required without performing engagement with the inlet (11) and a screw structure or the like.

[0106] In addition, when the insertion cover (111) is rotated by a predetermined angle or more while in a settled state, the rotation is detected by a sensor, and the settling and start of operation of the insertion cover (111) can be recognized.

[0107] That is, the rotation of the input cover (111) can also be used as an operation switch of the food waste disposer (10). For example, the input cover (111) and the input section (100) to which the input cover (111) is coupled can be provided with a sensing structure of a magnet and a hall sensor. That is, when the input cover (111) is fastened to the inlet (11) and rotated, the hall sensor periodically detects the magnet to recognize the rotational motion, and accordingly, recognizes the start of the operation.

[0108] That is, the operation of the insertion cover (111) being installed and the operation start command of the food waste disposer (10) can be recognized separately. Accordingly, the installation operation of the insertion cover (111) to prevent bad odors and the rotation operation for the operation start command of the food waste disposer (10) are separated, enabling accurate operation start while minimizing user intervention.

[0109] Figures 3 and 4 are a perspective view and a front view showing the inside of a food waste disposer (10) according to the present disclosure.

[0110] Below, the configurations according to the food waste processing process of the food waste disposer (10) of the present disclosure are described.

[0111] The input section (100) is the inlet (11) of the food waste disposer (10), and guides food to be input and delivers the food to the solid-liquid separation section (200) at the bottom.

[0112] The solid-liquid separation unit (200) is provided at the bottom of the inlet unit (100) and separates liquid from food moved from the inlet unit (100). In order for food to be easily decomposed, it is desirable for it to have a moisture content below a certain level, and the solid-liquid separation unit (200) separates liquid without crushing it and discharges it into an external sink drain through the drain / deodorization module (600).

[0113] The solid-liquid separation unit (200) can receive water from a water supply unit connected to an external sink water supply pipe and supply it to the lower decomposition unit (300). The interior of the decomposition unit (300) must maintain a certain amount of humidity for microbial activity, and the humidity can be sprayed from the water supply unit (730) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200).

[0114] A water supply part (730) is formed that penetrates from the outside to the inside of the case (201) of the solid-liquid separation part (200), and the water supply part (730) can have a water supply pipe extended so as to be connected to an external water supply pipe. Meanwhile, the internal water supply pipe (730) provided inside the food waste disposer (10) connects the solid-liquid separation part (200) and the external sink water supply pipe through the pipe connection part (732), and the internal drainage / deodorization module (600) connects the solid-liquid separation part (200) and the external drain port through the pipe connection part (680) (see FIG. 11a). The internal drainage / deodorization module (600) is connected so that a part is branched to perform a deodorization function, and also functions as a deodorization module that discharges odors together with liquid into the external drain port.

[0115] The solid-liquid separation unit (200) moves only solids from which at least a portion of the liquid has been removed among the food input from the input unit (100) in a horizontal plane, either linearly or by rotation, and then drops them into the lower decomposition unit (300). Here, the solids are food that contains little liquid.

[0116] The decomposition unit (300) can decompose solid food materials using microorganisms. The decomposition unit (300) is located below the solid-liquid separation unit (200) and within the lower module (750). The decomposition unit receives food materials from which liquid has been removed, mixes them with microorganisms, and composts them, thereby decomposing them into compost. Food materials decomposed into compost are decomposed into a form similar to compost with small, uniform particle sizes without the need for separate grinding.

[0117] Accordingly, the decomposed matter has a small particle size and a small weight, so it can move along a relatively large trajectory by stirring by the stirring member (350) and be fed into the conveying member (400) located at the top.

[0118] The collection unit (500) receives food that has been decomposed in the decomposition unit (300) and stores food to be discharged outside the food waste disposer (10) in advance. The collection unit (500) may be arranged horizontally with the decomposition unit (300). The decomposition unit (300) and the collection unit (500) may be partitioned by a side wall (360), and the decomposed matter of the decomposition unit (300) may be moved to the collection unit (500) through a side wall opening formed in the side wall (360).

[0119] The transfer unit (400) transfers at least a portion of the decomposed matter produced in the decomposition unit (300) to the collection unit (500). The transfer unit (400) is arranged horizontally with the decomposition unit (300) and is arranged above the collection unit (500) so that food in the decomposition unit (300) can be moved through the upper opening of the collection unit (500) via the inlet (361) of the side wall (360). The transfer unit (400) moves food in the decomposition unit (300) to the collection unit (500) by mechanical drive.

[0120] That is, when light and small particles of decomposition material are moved upward by the stirring of the decomposition unit (300), they are introduced into the transfer unit (400) through the inlet (361) of the side wall (360) and are discharged into the upper opening of the collection unit (500) through the outlet (12) by the mechanical driving of the transfer unit (400).

[0121] The main body (700), which determines the appearance and internal space volume of the food waste disposer (10), mounts each module.

[0122] Specifically, the input section (100) and the solid-liquid separation section (200) are formed integrally within the housing of the main body (700) that forms the exterior of the food waste disposer (10) as an upper module (710), and the decomposition section (300), the collection section (500), and the transport section (400) are mounted within a drawer-type lower module (750) that is physically separable from the housing of the main body (700).

[0123] Below, the detailed configuration of each functional module is described with reference to each drawing.

[0124] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the input section of the food waste disposer (10) of Fig. 1, Fig. 6a is a partial cross-sectional view of the input section (100) of Fig. 5 taken along line Ⅰ-Ⅰ', and Fig. 6b is a detailed perspective view of the input cover and cover guide.

[0125] The food waste disposer (10) according to the present disclosure includes an inlet (100) that protrudes from the upper surface of the main body (700) and is aligned with the drain (4) on the bottom surface of the sink bowl (2) of the sink (1).

[0126] The inlet (100) includes a sink lock (120) that is coupled to the inlet of the high-liquid separation unit (200), an inlet cover (111), and a cover guide (130) that is assembled with the inlet cover (111) and detects the presence and start of operation of the inlet cover (111).

[0127] The inlet (2011) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) is inserted into the drain (4) on the bottom surface of the sink bowl (2) and is connected to the upper opening of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) in the sink (1) to form the input inlet (11) of the food waste disposer (10).

[0128] The inlet (2011) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) is formed to have a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the drain (4) on the bottom surface of the sink bowl (2), but since the diameter of the drain (4) is generally standardized, the inlet (2011) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) can also be manufactured / distributed / sold according to the standard.

[0129] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6a, the inlet (2011) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) is formed to have a cylindrical side inserted into the drain (4) of the sink bowl (2) and to extend from the side to the upper surface of the sink bowl (2) to cover and compensate for the gap caused by the diameter difference between the drain (4) of the sink (1) and the side.

[0130] At this time, the inlet (2011) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) is formed with a step on the side to form a mounting surface (137) having a narrower diameter than the upper opening, and the mounting surface is formed so that the cover guide (130) is mounted.

[0131] The sink lock (120) is formed on the side of the inlet (2011) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) and completely covers the space between the sink (1) and the sink bowl (2) and is screw-connected to the side of the inlet (2011) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the sink bowl (2). Therefore, the food waste disposer (10) and the sink (1) are connected without a space within the sink bowl (2) by the sink lock (120).

[0132] A cover guide (130) is placed on the side of the sink lock (120).

[0133] The cover guide (130) has a mounting surface (137) on which the insertion cover (111) is mounted, and guides the mounting of the insertion cover (111).

[0134] Specifically, referring to FIG. 6b, the cover guide (130) has a cylindrical structure having a diameter smaller than the side of the sink lock (120).

[0135] The cover guide (130) includes a side (132) that overlaps the side of the sink lock (120) within the side of the sink lock (120), a mounting surface (137) that is bent inward from the lower side of the side (132), and on which the insertion cover (111) is mounted.

[0136] Additionally, the cover guide (130) includes an expansion rim (131) having a step (133) so that the cover guide (130) is mounted on the mounting surface (137) of the inlet of the high-liquid separation unit (200) from the upper side (132).

[0137] The inner surface of the expansion rim (131) has a slope so that it has a predetermined slope from the top to the bottom, and can be formed so that the diameter of the cross-section decreases as it goes downward.

[0138] At this time, the outer surface of the expansion rim (131) can be formed vertically in the up-down direction. Accordingly, a step (133) is formed between the expansion rim (131) and the side surface (132), and the cover guide (130) is supported while the step (133) hangs over the mounting surface of the inlet (2011) of the high-liquid separation unit (200).

[0139] A locker slot (134) is formed on at least a portion of the side (132) of the cover guide (130).

[0140] The locker slot (134) is an opening through which the locker (280) is inserted into the slot (134) to secure the insertion cover (111) and the cover guide (130).

[0141] The locker slot (134) may be formed as a rectangular opening that is long and opens to have a predetermined width along the side (132), and may include a mountain whose middle region is inclined upwards corresponding to the shape of the arm of the locker (280).

[0142] At this time, the lower mounting surface (137) may be removed corresponding to the area where the locker slot (134) is formed, but is not limited thereto. That is, when the mounting surface (137) is removed, the mounting surface (137) may have a C shape with a portion removed rather than a ring shape.

[0143] Meanwhile, a guide portion (136) is formed on the inner surface of the expansion rim (131) of the cover guide (130).

[0144] The guide unit (136) provides a light path for guiding and transmitting the guidance indication received from the control unit (not shown) located in the lower high-liquid separation unit (200) to the upper part.

[0145] That is, the guide section (136) is formed of a light-transmitting light-guiding material and is connected to the control section located adjacent to the solid-liquid separation section (200) below by penetrating the expansion rim (131).

[0146] The guide unit (136) provides the user with a guide display that illuminates from the control unit. At this time, the guide display may be an indication of the current operating status of the food waste disposer (10), for example, an indication of operation in progress, operation completion, or an error. The indications of operation in progress, operation completion, and error may be briefly indicated by an emitting color, flicker, or the like. Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize the emitting color of the set guide unit (136) and quickly recognize the current status of the food waste disposer (10).

[0147] Since such a guide member (136) is placed on the slope of the expansion forest (131), it can be recognized with the naked eye when the user looks at the drain (4) of the sink bowl (2) from above.

[0148] A feedback magnet (135) can be placed below the guide portion (136) of the cover guide (130), and the feedback magnet (135) can provide resistance when the input cover (111) rotates in conjunction with the magnet (112) of the input cover (111).

[0149] At this time, the magnetic force of the feedback magnet (135) may be greater than the magnetic force of the magnet (112) of the input cover (111).

[0150] The input cover (111) is introduced into the side of the sink lock (120) of the input section (100) and is inserted so as to be placed on the mounting surface (137) of the cover guide (130).

[0151] At this time, the input cover (111) is installed within the cover guide (130) without a separate connection structure such as a screw connection, and can be used as a cover to prevent food from falling out during operation and operation of the food waste disposer (10).

[0152] Specifically, the input cover (111) can be formed into a disc shape having a predetermined thickness so as to be rotatable over the cover guide (130), as shown in FIG. 6b.

[0153] The insertion cover (111) can be implemented with a cover housing (1111) forming a disc and an upper plate (1112) covering the upper portion of the cover housing (1111).

[0154] The cover housing (1111) has a space inside and can be formed in a cylindrical shape. At this time, the diameter of the cover housing (1111) may be smaller than the diameter of the upper plate (1112).

[0155] A predetermined number of magnets (112) can be arranged spaced apart from each other inside the cover housing (1111).

[0156] The magnets (112) are magnets of the same size and magnetic force and are formed to have the same polarity. Such magnets (112) are arranged to have the same spacing distance, and can be formed to be spaced apart from the center point of the cover housing (1111) by a predetermined distance, for example, an angle of 360 / n. n is defined as the number of magnets (112).

[0157] For example, when six magnets (112) are arranged, the magnets (112) can be arranged to have a separation angle of 60 degrees.

[0158] The upper plate (1112) covers the cover housing (1111) and can be finished smoothly and flat to form the upper surface of the input cover (111).

[0159] After the insertion cover (111) is seated on the seating surface (137) of the cover guide (130), it can be rotated by a predetermined angle or more to command the start of operation.

[0160] The food waste disposer (10) of the present disclosure does not rotate to grind or dehydrate food input from the input unit (100) and the solid-liquid separation unit (200). Therefore, the input cover (111) is not required to be completely sealed to the input unit (100), and only a covering force equivalent to that required to prevent the emission of unpleasant odors that may occur during the operation of the food waste disposer (10) by covering the drain (4) is required. Therefore, an engaging shape such as a screw structure is not necessarily required.

[0161] However, the input cover (111) rotates after being installed in the inlet (11), and the rotation of the input cover (111) is recognized by the magnet (112) mounted on the input cover (111) and the Hall sensor mounted on the control unit of the solid-liquid separation unit (200).

[0162] By rotating the input cover (111) in this manner, a command for the settling and operation initiation of the input cover (111) can be artificially generated. That is, the rotation of the input cover (111) can also be used as an operation switch of the food waste disposer (10).

[0163] Specifically, after the insertion cover (111) is installed in the inlet (11) and rotates, the Hall sensor periodically detects the magnet (112) to recognize the rotational motion, and accordingly, recognizes the operation start command.

[0164] That is, the control unit can distinguish and recognize the operation of the insertion cover (111) being installed and the operation start command of the food waste disposer (10). Accordingly, the installation operation of the insertion cover (111) to prevent bad odors and the rotation operation for the operation start command of the food waste disposer (10) are distinguished, enabling accurate operation start while minimizing user intervention.

[0165]

[0166] Below, the main body (700) and the solid-liquid separation unit (200) of the food waste disposer (10) are described.

[0167] Figures 7a to 7d are detailed drawings of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) of the food waste disposer (10) of Figure 1.

[0168] As shown in Fig. 7a, the high-liquid separation unit (200) is placed in the upper module (710) of the main body (700) of the food waste treatment device (10) between the input unit (100) and the decomposition unit (300).

[0169] The solid-liquid separation unit (200) performs the function of filtering liquid from food waste introduced into the inlet unit (100), i.e., food waste introduced directly from the sink bowl (2) of the sink (1), and delivering only solids to the decomposition unit (300).

[0170] The solid-liquid separation unit (200) has an inlet (2011) and an outlet (208). The inlet (2011) is connected to the drain (4) of the sink (1) as described above, and the outlet (208) is arranged on the lower surface of the upper module (710), that is, on the lower surface of the case (201) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200), and communicates with the decomposition unit (300).

[0171] To this end, the solid-liquid separation unit (200) is provided so that at least one area overlaps with the decomposition unit (300), and the outlet (208) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) is provided so as to be located in this overlapping area. As a result, food discharged through the outlet (208) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) falls freely and is transferred to the decomposition unit (300).

[0172] The inlet (2011) and outlet (208) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) are arranged so as not to overlap with respect to the second direction, which is the vertical direction.

[0173] For example, the inlet (2011) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) may be positioned rearward from the front and rear of the food waste disposer (10), and the outlet (208) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) may be positioned frontward of the food waste disposer (10). Accordingly, the solid-liquid separation unit (200) may horizontally move the input food waste from the rear to the front and transfer it to the decomposition unit (300).

[0174] The high-value separation unit (200) includes a case (201) defining the interior of the upper module (710).

[0175] The case (201) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) has a shape in which the length and depth are greater than the height, and the height is greater than the height of the filter (210) in which the introduced food is initially received, and an inlet (2011) is provided on the upper surface of the case (201), and an outlet (208) is provided on the lower surface.

[0176] At this time, the case (201) can form a hexahedron, and forming a hexahedron means not only having the exact shape of a hexahedron, but also having a cross-section that has a square shape in some part.

[0177] Food in the input unit (100) is delivered to the inlet (2011) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200), and food that has passed through the solid-liquid separation unit (200) moves horizontally and is delivered to the decomposition unit (300) through the outlet (208) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200). The outlet (208) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200) is connected to the inlet of the decomposition unit (300) and the entrance (751) of the lower module (750), so that its shape can be identical to the entrance (751) of the lower module (750).

[0178] The internal space of the high-liquid separation unit (200) defined by the high-liquid separation unit (200) case (201) can be divided into a high-liquid separation space (A) and a transfer space (B).

[0179] The high-liquid separation space (A) may be an area located at the rear within the case (201), and is a space between the inlet (2011) and the drain hole (270) that accommodates the filter (210). The filter (210) may be composed of a cylindrical side portion (211) and a bottom portion (212) that covers the lower opening of the side portion (211), and the side portion (211) includes a filter (210) surface forming the main area of ​​the side, an upper rim (2112) that extends upward from the filter (210) surface, and a lower rim (2113) of the side.

[0180] The side part (211) of the filter (210) is mainly cylindrical and can be implemented as a strainer, i.e., a strainer, in which holes of a predetermined size are formed. Liquid flows out through the side part (211) and is injected into the drain hole connection part (271) along the slope of the bottom surface (2016) of the solid-liquid separation space (A).

[0181] The upper rim (2112) is formed as a slope so that the diameter increases as it goes upward, but the lower rim (2113) can be formed to extend from the side portion (211) and function as a border.

[0182] At this time, it may include at least one fixed projection (2111, 2117) that protrudes from a part of the lower rim (2113) and is fixed to the bottom surface of the high-liquid separation space (A), i.e., the bottom part (212) of the filter (210).

[0183] In addition, the lower rim (2113) may further include at least one side fixing protrusion (2115) that fixes the bottom portion (212) of the filter (210) to the side. The filter (210) is formed so that the side portion (211) and the bottom portion (212) can be separated, and the bottom portion (212) is formed in a closed structure without a hole.

[0184] At this time, the bottom part (212) may be bent upward at a part of the edge to form a joining guide (2121, 2122) that guides the side part (211) of the filter (210).

[0185] The filter (210) is separated or combined with the case (201) of the high-liquid separation space (A) in a state where the side part (211) and the bottom part (212) are combined. At this time, the bottom part (212) is a part of the case (201) and the combination guides (2121, 2122), specifically, the area where the combination guides (2121, 2122) extend outside the circumference, and the lower part of the side wall (2015) of the case (201) are combined, and can be separated only by physical pressure.

[0186] When the filter (210) is placed in the high-liquid separation space (A), a gap is formed between the side part (211) of the filter (210) and the case side wall (2015), and only liquid is separated from food waste through the perforations of the side part (211) of the filter (210) in the space created by the gap and flows into the case (201).

[0187] The liquid flowing into the case (201) flows to the bottom surface (2016) of the case through the gap space (2017) between the bottom part (212) of the filter (210) and the case side wall (2015) formed by the extended area of ​​the coupling guide (2121, 2122) when the bottom part (212) of the filter (210) is located in the solid-liquid separation space (A) and is introduced into the discharge hole connection part (271).

[0188] In this way, the bottom part (212) of the filter (210) is not integrated with the bottom surface of the case (201), but is combined in a structure that can be separated when pressurized, so that it can be separated from the case (201) for washing and drying as needed. In addition, by separating the bottom part (212), it is possible to wash the bottom surface of the case (201), i.e., the inclined surface that guides the flow of liquid to the drain hole (270) connected to the drain (4) of the sink (1), to prevent the growth of bacteria, etc.

[0189] The filter (210) can be removed externally by the user lifting it from the inlet (11) of the inlet (100). This has a structure similar to the drain (4) strainer of a conventional sink (1), and the filter (210) can be removed externally for washing and drying, thereby enabling individual management of the space where food comes into contact.

[0190] The case (201) includes a side wall (2015) surrounding the filter (210), and the side wall (2011) can be formed to have a curved surface in an area corresponding to the filter (210). A transfer space (B) is formed in front of the solid-liquid separation space (A).

[0191] The transport space (B) is mainly an empty space, and may be empty when the filter (210) is placed due to movement of the filter (210) by the transport unit (400) or when the filter (210) is retreated.

[0192] The transfer space (B) is open at the bottom, and the open bottom serves as the outlet (208) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) and is connected to the inlet of the decomposition unit (300).

[0193] The case (201) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) surrounding the transfer space (B) can have a bent square shape, and a transfer cover that seals the front of the case (201) can be separately arranged. When the transfer cover that seals the front is separately provided and combined, it can be opened and closed for cleaning and repair.

[0194] The high-liquid separation unit (200) includes a transfer module on one side of the case (201) for moving the filter (210) on a horizontal plane between the transfer space (B) and the high-liquid separation space (A).

[0195] The transfer module may include a transfer motor (220), a pinion (221) connected to a shaft of the transfer motor (220), and a linear rack (222) that moves forward and backward by the pinion (221).

[0196] In addition, the linear rack (222) may further include a guide bar (223) for moving and a transfer body (230) that is bent from the linear rack (222) and has a planar structure facing forward.

[0197] The motor (220) rotates the pinion (221) in one direction to horizontally move the filter (210) from the solid-liquid separation space (A) to the transfer space (B) from rear to front. In addition, the pinion (221) may be rotated in the opposite direction as needed to return the filter (210) from the transfer space (B) to the solid-liquid separation space (A).

[0198] Specifically, when the food is fed into the filter (210) and the feed cover (111) is rotated to recognize the start of operation, the transport motor (220) can be rotated. Alternatively, the transport motor (220) can be operated when a start signal is received from a user, and such a start signal from the user can be received from a user terminal having an application that can be linked with the food waste disposer (10) installed. The rotational drive of the transport motor (220) can be controlled by a control unit.

[0199] The transport motor (220) may be disposed outside the case (201), for example, outside the side of the case (201), but is not limited thereto, and may also be disposed inside the case (201). When the transport motor (220) is disposed outside the case (201), the shaft of the transport motor (220) may penetrate the side wall of the case (201) and be connected to the pinion (221). The pinion (221) engages with the teeth of the linear rack (222) by the shaft of the motor to move the linear rack (222) in a linear direction in the forward and backward directions.

[0200] At this time, a guide bar (223) may be further included to allow the linear rack (222) to move in a forward and backward direction along a horizontal plane.

[0201] The transfer module includes an extension surface (2221) extending vertically (in a second direction) with respect to the longitudinal direction (in a first direction) of the linear rack (222), and the extension surface (2221) extends in the longitudinal direction like the linear rack (222) and is formed integrally with the linear rack (222).

[0202] At least one holder (2222) for holding a guide bar (223) protrudes from the upper and lower portions of the expansion surface (2221). The at least one holder (2222) may be formed in a cylindrical structure through which the guide bar (223) passes, or may be formed in a semicircular shape. If the holder is semicircular, the holders may be arranged to open in opposite directions. Accordingly, the expansion surface (2221) can move in a straight line without shaking along the guide bars (223) installed to pass through a plurality of semicircular holders (2222) at the same time.

[0203] When a plurality of guide bars (223) are arranged, holders (2222) may be provided at the upper and lower portions of the expansion surface (2221), and guide bars (223) may be coupled to the upper and lower holders (2222), respectively, so that the linear rack (222) can move more horizontally and without shaking.

[0204] The guide bar (223) may be an STS guide that is fixed at one end, i.e., the rear end, to the case (201) and maintains the front end in a free state, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the linear rack (222) can move in a straight line by calculating the angle in real time and controlling the horizontality, including a horizontal sensor. At this time, the side of the case facing the linear rack (222) may further include a touch sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the protrusion at the bottom of the linear rack (222).

[0205] A linear rack (222) is arranged inside the side wall of the case (201) and moves in a straight line forward and backward according to the rotation of the pinion (221), and a planar transfer body (230) is arranged in the front by being bent from the front edge of the linear rack (222).

[0206] The transfer body (230) is a coupling member that is combined with the filter (210) to move the filter (210) together when the linear rack (222) moves in a straight line.

[0207] The transfer body (230) forms a cover in itself, and can be formed to have the same area and shape as the cross-section of the case (201) perpendicular to the direction of movement so that the transfer body (230) divides the case (201) of the high-liquid separation unit (200) into front and rear.

[0208] Accordingly, the rear of the transfer body (230), which is the area where food exists, and the front of the transfer body (230), which is the area where no food exists, are separated and sealed from each other. The sealed structure of the transfer body (230) is described in detail in Fig. 9.

[0209] The transfer body (230) is slidably coupled to a fixed part (2114) formed on the side of the filter (210) with the side facing the transfer space (B) to horizontally move the side of the filter (210) to the transfer space (B) according to the movement of the linear rack (222).

[0210] When moving horizontally, only the side part (211) of the filter (210) moves, and the bottom part (212) remains in the solid-liquid separation space (A), so that only the solid matter of the solid-liquid separated food retained in the filter (210) moves to the transfer space (B) and falls to the decomposition unit (300) through the outlet (208) at the bottom.

[0211] Additionally, one side of the high-value separation unit (200) may further include a locker (280) for fixing the input cover (111) by penetrating the cover guide (130).

[0212]

[0213] Hereinafter, the detachable lower module (750) of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

[0214] The lower module (750) that accommodates the disassembly section (300), the transport section (400), and the collection section (500) is packaged as an individual module that can be separated from the main body (700). Since the lower module (750) accommodates the inner case (320) of each module within the lower case (751), each functional module has a double case structure.

[0215] The lower module (750) case (751) can be implemented with the same material as the main body (700) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to be insertable into the main body (700).

[0216] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the inside of the lower module (750) of the food waste disposer (10) of Fig. 1.

[0217] The inner case (320) defines the positions of the disassembly section (300), the transport section (400), and the collection section (500) and can be provided in the form of a single injection molded product.

[0218] At this time, the transfer unit (400) and the collection unit (500) may have individual cases placed within the inner case (320), but the disassembly unit (300) may have the inner case (320) itself define the space of the disassembly unit (300).

[0219] That is, the decomposition unit (300) is defined as a space for stirring while containing microorganisms and food. The decomposition unit (300) is a space (310) that is maintained mostly empty on one side of the inner case (320), and occupies 1 / 2 to 2 / 3 of the volume of the lower module (750).

[0220] The decomposition unit (300) can be positioned to the lower left of the front of the food waste disposer (10), and the collection unit (500) and the transfer unit (400) are positioned to overlap each other to the lower right.

[0221] Accordingly, the space (310) of the disassembly section (300) maintains a deep concave shape that occupies the entire overlapping length of the collection section (500) and the transfer section (400), and the inner case (320) has a partition wall (380) positioned therein that divides the collection section (500) and the transfer section (400) from the disassembly section (300).

[0222] The decomposition unit (300) within the lower module (750) mixes the solid food matter, from which the liquid transferred to the decomposition unit (300) has been removed, with microorganisms. The mixing of the food matter and microorganisms increases the decomposition efficiency. The stirring shaft (331) rotates within the decomposition unit (300), and the stirring member (350) is connected to the stirring shaft (331) and rotates together with the stirring shaft (331). The stirring member (350) may be a screw type that spirally surrounds the stirring shaft (331) with its axis as an axis.

[0223] The stirring member (350) and the stirring shaft (331) may be integral or may be combined with each other.

[0224] The stirring shaft (331) is positioned below the decomposition unit (300) and may be a horizontal rotation axis that crosses the left and right, and the stirring member (350) may branch in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the stirring shaft (331). The stirring member (350) may be formed in an integral screw shape and may protrude at different heights based on the stirring shaft (331).

[0225] Accordingly, if the stirring member (350) is defined as a mountain at the part protruding farthest from the stirring shaft, it is formed so that another mountain is located on the 180-degree opposite side, and it can be formed so that the height decreases between the mountains, but it is not limited thereto and can be formed in a screw shape of the same length.

[0226] In addition, the stirring member (350) includes at least a portion of a concave portion (351), and the concave portions are irregularly arranged to generate turbulence to smoothly mix the small particles of decomposed matter produced.

[0227] The inner case (320) of the disassembly unit (300) may have a structure in which the lower left side is formed to be concave, such that the cross-sectional area becomes narrower as it goes downward. In particular, the lower side of the inner case (320) of the disassembly unit (300) that is concave is formed to have a curved bottom surface, thereby preventing food or residue from remaining at the corners.

[0228] In addition, the bottom surface having a curved surface is formed along the trajectory of the stirring member (350), so that the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the stirring member (350) uniformly affects each space below, so that food and microorganisms can be uniformly stirred below.

[0229] One side of the stirring shaft (331) having a horizontal rotation axis in the first direction, which is the left-right direction, can be rotatably fixed to the outer wall of the decomposition unit (300), and the other side can be rotatably fixed to the inner wall facing the outer wall.

[0230] The stirring shaft (331) can receive driving force from the motor (330) provided in the food waste disposer (10), and the motor (330) is arranged on the outside of the left wall and is arranged in the space (352) between the case (751) of the lower module (750) and the inner case (320) by the concave space (352) in the lower region of the case (320). The driving force of the motor (330) can be transmitted through the stirring shaft (331) and the fixed gear.

[0231] The decomposition unit (300) may be equipped with a heating means (328) for heating the internal space. The heating means (328) may be, for example, a hot wire heater. The heating means (328) is equipped on the outer surface of the decomposition unit (300) case (320), thereby indirectly transferring heat to the internal space of the decomposition unit (300) through the decomposition unit (300) case (320). The decomposition unit (300) case (320) includes a metal plate (1112) with high thermal conductivity, thereby enabling efficient heat transfer. For this purpose, the decomposition unit (300) case (320) may have some surfaces made of a heterogeneous material of metal and non-metal, if necessary.

[0232] The internal space (310) of the decomposition unit (300) is heated so that microorganisms can reach a temperature suitable for decomposing food, and also the moisture in the food can be sufficiently evaporated or vaporized, thereby facilitating processing.

[0233] When the upper part of the decomposition unit (300) is opened, the opened upper part of the decomposition unit (300) is aligned with the outlet (208) of the case (201) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200).

[0234] At this time, the upper part of the decomposition part (300) may be larger than the outlet (208) of the solid-liquid separation part (200). Since the lower module (750) can be packaged in a separate case (751) and can be independently separated, the user's hand can enter the internal space (310) through the opening in the upper part of the decomposition part (300). Therefore, cleaning the internal space (310) of the decomposition part (300), removing stuck or stuck food, etc. can be facilitated, and if a foreign substance (e.g., a spoon, chopsticks, bottle cap, etc.) is introduced into the lower space (310), it can be easily removed.

[0235] A deodorizing port (322) for connection with a rear drain / deodorizing module (600) is formed in the disassembly section (300). A deodorizing port (322) that can be aligned with a deodorizing fan disposed in the main body (700) at the rear of the case (320) of the disassembly section (300) can be implemented.

[0236] The decomposition unit (300) does not have a separate drainage structure and decomposes dehydrated solid food matter and discharges only the vaporized odor or water vapor through deodorization. Therefore, it does not have a structure connected to the outside except for the deodorizing port (322).

[0237] In some cases, when a separate drainage structure is required, the drawer-type lower module (750) may include a module for connecting a drainage structure for connecting the drain to the sink (1) drain pipe, but alternatively, it may further include a tank for separately collecting and then discharging the liquid.

[0238] In the decomposition unit (300), delivered food and food undergoing decomposition by microorganisms are mixed and accumulated. Among the accumulated food, food that has been completely decomposed becomes compost, with particles that are very small and light in weight.

[0239] Such decomposed matter moves further along a larger trajectory due to the rotation of the stirring member (350) due to the difference in weight between the newly introduced food and the food, and is transferred to the collection unit (500) through the transfer unit (400) located at the top of the decomposition unit (300).

[0240] Hereinafter, the transfer unit (400) and the collection unit (500) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0241] Fig. 9a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9a-9a' of Fig. 8, Fig. 9b is an enlarged view of area c of Fig. 9a, and Fig. 9c is an exploded perspective view of the disassembly tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) illustrated in Fig. 9a.

[0242] Referring to FIGS. 9a to 9c, the transfer unit (400) can implement a transfer function through a transfer screw (430, 433) and a decomposition tank propeller (410).

[0243] The transfer unit (400) is located on one side of the disassembly unit (300), for example, on the right side, and is located on the top of the collection unit (500).

[0244] The transfer unit (400) may be positioned higher than the center of the decomposition unit (300). Specifically, the transfer unit (400) may be positioned higher than the center of the decomposition tank (310). Preferably, the decomposition tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) may be positioned higher than the stirring member (352).

[0245] More preferably, the decomposition tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) may be positioned higher than the rotation axis of the stirring member (352).

[0246] The conveying unit (400) can be positioned to vertically overlap with the collecting unit. Accordingly, food falling through the conveying unit (400) can fall to the collecting unit by gravity.

[0247] Due to the height difference between the conveying section (400) and the stirring member (350) of the decomposition section (300), only the decomposed material with a small weight can selectively reach the conveying section (400). In other words, only the decomposed material that moves by stirring while forming a large trajectory in height due to the weight difference is introduced into the conveying section (400), and the conveying section (400) is implemented so that the introduced decomposed material is moved to the collection section (500).

[0248] The transport unit (400) transports food decomposed in the decomposition unit (300) to the collection unit (500), and includes a decomposition tank propeller (410) rotatably installed in the decomposition unit (300), a transport screw (430, 433) that transports food transferred through the decomposition tank propeller (410) to the collection unit (500), and a motor that rotates the decomposition tank propeller (410) and the transport screw (430, 433).

[0249] The decomposition tank propeller (410) is located inside the decomposition tank (310) and transfers food products decomposed and dried in the decomposition tank (310) to a collection unit (500). In addition, the decomposition tank propeller (410) transfers food products decomposed and dried in the decomposition tank (310) to a transfer space (401) having a transfer screw (430, 433).

[0250] The disintegration tank propeller (410) can be rotated by a separate motor. Preferably, the disintegration tank propeller (410) is coupled to the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433) and can be rotated together with the transfer screw (430, 433). The disintegration tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) may be formed integrally.

[0251] The disassembly tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) can be connected to each other by penetrating the bulkhead (380). The disassembly tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) can be connected to each other by connectors (412, 452). Specifically, the disassembly tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) can be connected by a forced fit or a groove and projection combination. A connecting hole (382) through which the connector (412, 452) passes is formed in the bulkhead (380).

[0252] The decomposition tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) can be arranged to face each other with respect to the bulkhead (380). The decomposition tank propeller (410) is positioned to the left of the bulkhead (380), and the transfer screw (430, 433) is positioned to the right of the bulkhead (380).

[0253] The decomposition tank propeller (410) prevents the decomposition tank propeller (410) from being rotated by food accumulated in the decomposition tank, and transports the food to the collection unit (500) through the transport port (381).

[0254] For example, the decomposition tank propeller (410) may include a propeller rotation axis (413) coupled to the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433), a first propeller (411a) extending in one direction intersecting the propeller rotation axis (413) from the propeller rotation axis (413), and a second propeller (411b) extending in the opposite direction to the first propeller (411a) from the propeller rotation axis (413).

[0255] The first propeller (411a) and the second propeller (411b) have an incline with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotational direction of the propeller rotation axis (413), so that when the first propeller (411a) and the second propeller (411b) rotate, the food is pressed toward the bulkhead (380).

[0256] If there are too many propellers, the rigidity of the propeller decreases, and friction and resistance between the propeller and the food increase. If there are too few propellers, the time it takes to move the decomposed matter increases. Therefore, it is preferable that the decomposition tank propeller (410) include two propellers.

[0257] The disassembly propeller (410) may further include a removal propeller (4112) extending in a direction parallel to the propeller rotation axis (413) from one end of the first propeller (411a). The first propeller (411a) may be positioned between the removal propeller (4112) and the bulkhead (380).

[0258] Since the decomposition tank propeller (410) is difficult to rotate when the decomposition tank propeller (410) is piled up due to the difference in weight of the decomposition tank propeller (4112), while the first propeller (411a) and the second propeller (411b) move the decomposition tank propeller to the bulkhead (380), the decomposition tank propeller (410) is easily rotated by removing the attachments on the left side of the decomposition tank propeller (410) and around the first propeller (411a) and the second propeller (411b).

[0259] A bulkhead (380) may be positioned between the collection unit (500) and the decomposition tank (310). A conveyance port (381) is formed in the bulkhead (380) to allow only food particles smaller than a certain size to pass through and prevent food particles larger than a certain size from passing through. At least a portion of the conveyance port (381) may be positioned to overlap horizontally with the decomposition tank propeller (410) and the conveyance screw (430, 433).

[0260] The conveying port (381) is positioned higher than the stirring member (350). Since the conveying port (381) is positioned higher than the stirring member (350) and only allows food smaller than a certain size to pass through, food that has not yet been decomposed or dried is restricted from being moved to the conveying screw (430, 433).

[0261] The transfer port (381) may be an arc-shaped shape centered on the connecting hole (382). For another example, the transfer port (381) may be circular or semicircular. The transfer port (381) may be positioned lower than the connecting hole (382).

[0262] The conveying screw (430, 433) conveys the waste material introduced into the conveying space (401) to the collection unit (500). The conveying screw (430, 433) can open and close the conveying port (381) while rotating. For example, the conveying screw (430, 433) may include a screw portion (430) and a door (433).

[0263] The screw section (430) may be provided so that the direction of transport of the food waste is parallel to the rotation axis (451), and as the spiral wing protruding from the rotation axis (451) rotates, the food waste may be pushed toward the collection section (500) or moved in the opposite direction.

[0264] The door (433) is constrained to the rotation of the screw part (430) and rotates together with the transfer screw (430, 433) to open or close the transfer port (381).

[0265] The door (433) may be formed integrally with the screw portion (430) or may be formed as a separate component. The door (433) may be connected to one end of the screw portion (430). As another example, the door (433) may be spaced apart from the screw portion (430) and the rotation axis (451) may be fixed thereto.

[0266] Accordingly, the transfer port (381) can alternately repeat an overlapping state and a non-overlapping state in the direction of the rotation axis (451) of the door (433) and the screw portion (430). That is, as the door (433), the screw portion (430), and the decomposition tank propeller (410) rotate together, the transfer port (381) is closed by the door (433) and then opened during one rotation.

[0267] The door (433) is positioned between the transfer screws (430, 433) and the bulkhead (380). Specifically, the door (433) has a larger area than the transfer port (381) and can be positioned to be in contact with the transfer port (381) and the bulkhead (380).

[0268] The door (433) may protrude in a direction intersecting the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433) from the rotation axis (451). Specifically, the door (433) may have a fan shape centered on the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433). More preferably, the door (433) may have a semicircular shape centered on the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433).

[0269] The door (433) may be positioned so as to overlap with the second propeller (411b) and the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433), and may be positioned so as not to overlap with the first propeller (411a) and the removal propeller (4112) and the rotation axis (451) of the transfer screw (430, 433).

[0270] Accordingly, the door (433) can open the transfer port (381) when the first propeller (411a) pressurizes the sediment and transfers it to the transfer unit (400).

[0271] The door (433) may be formed integrally with the transfer screw (430, 433) or may be coupled to the transfer screw (430, 433).

[0272] The motor (450) rotates the transfer screw (430, 433) in one direction so that the waste material moves from the decomposition section (300) area to the collection section (500) area.

[0273] At this time, if a signal is received that the collection bin (510) equipped in the collection unit (500) is full, the waste material can be moved back from the collection unit (500) area to the decomposition unit (300) area, or the motor (450) can be stopped. The rotational drive of the motor (450) can be controlled by the control unit (C).

[0274] The transport unit (400) may further include a position cam that protrudes from the rotation axis (451) of the transport screw (430, 433) to recognize the position of the door (433) and a door (433) sensor that detects the position cam. The door (433) sensor may be a switch sensor that outputs a signal when it comes into contact with the position cam.

[0275] The motor is stopped when a signal for stopping rotation is input, and then a signal for the door (433) position is input from the door (433) sensor. Therefore, when the motor is stopped, the conveying port (381) is always closed by the door (433), thereby preventing the waste from passing over to the conveying section (400).

[0276] Specifically, the control unit (C) can output a signal to stop the motor when a signal indicating the position of the door (433) is input from the door (433) sensor after a rotation stop signal is input.

[0277] The conveying unit (400) may include a screen (420) covering the conveying screw (430, 433), and may prevent the waste material conveyed by the screen (420) from escaping to the outside. The screen (420) may be formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the bulkhead (380), and accommodates the conveying screw (430, 433) and the motor (450).

[0278] A transport space (401) is formed inside the screen (420) through which food is transported. The screen (420) surrounds the outer surface of the transport screw (430, 433) and moves the spoiled material from left to right, discharges it toward the exit (421), and falls into the collection unit (500).

[0279] The bracket (470) transfers the food discharged from the outlet (421) of the screen (420) and the food discharged from the outlet (421) of the screen (420) to the collection unit (500).

[0280] The bracket (470) of the transfer unit (400) protrudes from the bottom of the screen (420) toward the collection unit (500) and can fix the transfer unit (400) to the cover (520) of the collection unit (500). The bracket (470) of the transfer unit (400) has an outlet (12) at the bottom, and the edge of the outlet (12) forms a rail (471) so that it can be fixed and communicated with by slidingly connecting with the opening / closing cover (521) of the collection unit (500).

[0281] The rotation of the feed screw (430, 433) can be realized by driving the motor (450). The driving force of the motor (450) can be transmitted through the feed screw (430, 433) and the fixed shaft (451). At this time, the shaft (451) is fixed together with the propeller (410), so that the feed screw (430, 433) and the propeller (410) can rotate simultaneously by one motor (450). At this time, when they have different rotational speeds, the rotational speed can be controlled through a separate gear. In this way, the space occupied by the motor (450) is minimized, contributing to the miniaturization of the device, and power consumption can also be minimized.

[0282] In this way, the transport unit (400) exists only above the collection unit (500), and only small, light particles of food waste are selectively introduced into the transport unit (400) through the inlet (361), thereby fundamentally preventing unfermented food waste from entering the transport unit (400).

[0283] Therefore, it is a very exceptional case that food remains on the conveyor (400) for a long time or food residue sticks to it and causes a bad smell.

[0284] In addition, by separately having the motors (330, 450) of the decomposition unit (300) and the conveyance unit (400), the stirring of the decomposition unit (300) and the conveyance of the conveyance unit (400) can be independently controlled. For example, if the stirring shaft (331) rotates only in one direction, the food may not be stirred evenly as the food accumulates in one area. Therefore, in this case, the stirring shaft (331) may periodically rotate in the opposite direction, while the conveyance screws (430, 433) (510) may continuously rotate so that the food moves from the decomposition unit (300) to the collection unit (500).

[0285] In addition, stirring can be performed continuously even when the transport is stopped due to the capacity of the collection unit (500) in the transport unit (400). For example, stirring of food can be performed continuously even when the collection box (520) is separated from the settling space of the collection unit (500) for processing decomposed food waste.

[0286] The driving speed and driving direction of the motor (450) can be driven based on a control signal from a control unit (C) such as a processor. The specific power transmission structure is not limited thereto and can be configured taking into consideration torque, rotational speed, and spatial arrangement, etc.

[0287] Figure 9d is a drawing showing the operation of the decomposition tank propeller (410).

[0288] Referring to FIG. 9d, when the decomposition tank propeller (410) rotates, the decomposition material moves from the decomposition tank toward the bulkhead (380) by the decomposition tank propeller (410).

[0289] Figure 9e is a drawing showing the door (433) closing the conveyance port (381).

[0290] Referring to Fig. 9e, when the transfer port (381) is closed by the door (433), the second propeller (411b) passes through a position overlapping the transfer port (381), thereby pressurizing the sediment toward the transfer port (381).

[0291] Figure 9f is a drawing showing the door (433) opening the conveyance port (381).

[0292] Referring to FIG. 9f, when the decomposition tank propeller (410) and the transfer screw (430, 433) continue to rotate, the transfer port (381) is opened by the door (433), and the first propeller (411a) passes a position overlapping the transfer port (381), thereby pressurizing the decomposed material toward the transfer port (381), and the decomposed material is transferred to the transfer unit (400) through the opened transfer port (381).

[0293]

[0294] Below, the structure of the collection unit and the combined structure of the collection unit and the transfer unit (400) will be described in detail.

[0295] Figures 10a and 10b are state diagrams showing the combination of a transport unit and a collection unit.

[0296] Referring to FIG. 10, the collection unit (500) may be positioned on the lower right side within the inner case (320) of the lower module (750) in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b.

[0297] The collection unit (500) is inserted into the collection space (326) of the inner case (320) of the lower module (750).

[0298] The collection unit (500) can be individually assembled and separated from the main body (700) as a single module, and can also be assembled and separated from the lower module (750).

[0299] That is, the collection unit (500) is a module that is inserted into the collection space (326) in a state similar to an insertable trash can.

[0300] The collection unit (500) is composed of a collection unit (500) cover (520) and a collection box (510).

[0301] A hinged cover (521) is placed on the cover (520) of the collection unit (500).

[0302] The hinged cover (521) opens when combined with the transfer unit (400) and connects the internal space of the collection box (510) with the exit (12) of the transfer unit (400).

[0303] The hinged cover (521) is closed when the user separates the collection unit (500) from the collection space (326) and takes it out, and when the user re-mounts the collection unit (500) on the food waste disposer (10), it rises up and opens along the inclined surface (475) of the bracket (470) of the transport unit (400). For this purpose, the hinged cover (521) is hinged on the front side.

[0304] Accordingly, when the collection unit (500) is taken out, the user can prevent the garbage from being seen and the foul odor of the garbage can be prevented from escaping.

[0305] The collection box (510) has a concave shape to have an internal collection space, and may have a stepped structure so that it can be used by covering it with vinyl.

[0306] It includes a sensor (530) that can measure the amount of waste in the collection unit (500) so that the user can collect and discard it when a certain amount accumulates in the collection unit (500).

[0307] The sensor (530) of the collection unit (500) may be a weight sensor, and a weight plate (540) is formed on the bottom surface of the collection box (510), and the weight of the waste material can be detected through a load cell at the bottom of the weight plate 540 and transmitted to the control unit (C).

[0308] The collection unit (500) sensor (530) may, on the other hand, be a water level sensor placed inside the collection space, and various sensors such as an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, and an image sensor can be applied as the water level sensor.

[0309] In this way, the combination and communication of the collection unit (500) and the transfer unit (400) are carried out by sliding combination of the outlet (12) of the transfer unit (400) and the opening / closing cover (521) of the cover (520) of the collection unit (500), so that the user does not feel discomfort due to internal deterioration when removing the collection unit (500), and the two modules can be easily connected and separated.

[0310] Meanwhile, the food waste disposer (10) of the present invention further includes a drainage / deodorization module (600) in the space between the main body (700) and the lower module (750), i.e., the rear space.

[0311]

[0312] Fig. 11 is a simplified configuration diagram showing the drainage / deodorization module (600) of the food waste disposer (10) of Fig. 1.

[0313] The internal space of the lower module (750) is defined by a rectangular lower module (750) case (751) having a depth smaller than that of the main body (700).

[0314] Due to this depth difference, a gap exists between the main body (700) and the case (751) of the lower module (750) at the rear of the lower module (750).

[0315] This separation space is positioned toward the lower rear of the entire body (700) of the food waste disposer (10). An exhaust fan (620) is formed at the rear of the separation space, i.e., the rear of the body (700). In addition, a sewage pipe connection part that is connected to the sewage pipe of an external sink (1) is formed at the bottom surface of the separation space, i.e., the bottom surface of the body (700).

[0316] A negative pressure is created inside the food waste disposer (10) by the exhaust fan (620), and the odor and water vapor inside are discharged into the sink (1) drain pipe through the deodorizing duct (610) connected to the exhaust fan (620).

[0317] The deodorizing duct (610) is a spiral (snail-shaped) duct (610), and the area facing the exhaust fan (620) on one side is connected to a ventilation hole (322) formed on the rear of the case of the lower module (750), and the other side is connected to a drainage deodorizing pipe (650, 660).

[0318] A connection between the deodorizing duct (610) and the drain deodorizing pipe (650, 660) can be formed through a connecting unit (630), which can be implemented using an O-ring, etc.

[0319] The drainage deodorization pipe (650, 660) is formed as a pipe having a plurality of bends, which connects a first inlet connected to the sewage pipe (270) of the solid-liquid separation unit (200), a second inlet connected to the deodorization duct (610), and an outlet connected to the sewage pipe of an external sink (1).

[0320] The drainage deodorization pipe (650, 660) is in the form of an S-shaped trap between the first inlet and the discharge port, and includes a first pipe (650) for forming a path for the washing water flowing down from the first inlet through the strainer while allowing the liquid filtered (210) from the solid-liquid separation unit (200) to flow into the external sewer pipe. Since the S-shaped trap always contains water, it can prevent the backflow of odors from the sewer (4).

[0321] Meanwhile, the drainage deodorization pipe (650, 660) is further formed with a second pipe (660) having at least one bend between the second inlet and the discharge port.

[0322] At this time, a backflow prevention cover (670) is formed between the second pipe (660) and the discharge port to prevent liquid from flowing back from the first pipe (650) into the second pipe (660).

[0323] The backflow prevention cover (670) is intended to prevent an accident in which all microorganisms in the decomposition unit (300) die when liquid flows back into the second pipe (660) and is injected into the decomposition unit (300). A check valve can be used as the backflow prevention cover (670).

[0324] The check valve may be provided to open the second pipe (660) and connect it to the discharge port when odor and vapor are discharged through the second pipe (660), and to block the second pipe (660) by reverse gravity when liquid flows back through the discharge port or the first pipe (650). That is, the check valve may open and close by gravity. As an example of providing elasticity to the check valve, the check valve may be provided with a silicone material so that the upper side thereof is fixed to the upper side of the second pipe (660). The fixed portion of the check valve may perform a function similar to a hinge fastening.

[0325]

[0326] The present disclosure encompasses various variations of each embodiment and embodiment discussed herein. According to the present disclosure, at least one feature described in one embodiment or example may be equally applicable to other embodiments or examples described above. Features of one or more of the aforementioned embodiments or examples may be combined with each of the aforementioned embodiments or examples. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure, or a combination of all or part of the embodiments, are also part of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A decomposition unit including a decomposition tank in which food input from an input port is decomposed; A collection unit for storing the decomposed food; A transport unit that transports food decomposed in the above decomposition unit to the above collection unit; and It includes a conveyance port located between the above collection unit and the above decomposition tank through which decomposed food passes, The above transport unit, A decomposition tank propeller that transfers the decomposed food from the decomposition unit to the transfer unit and is rotatably installed in the decomposition unit; and It includes a transport screw that transports the food transferred through the decomposition tank propeller to the collection unit, A food waste disposer characterized in that the above-mentioned transfer screw opens and closes the transfer port while rotating.

2. In paragraph 1, The above transport unit, It further includes a motor that rotates the above decomposition tank propeller and the above transfer screw, A food waste disposer in which the above-mentioned decomposition tank propeller is coupled to the rotation axis of the above-mentioned transfer screw and rotates together with the above-mentioned transfer screw.

3. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a bulkhead positioned between the collection unit and the decomposition tank, A food waste treatment device in which the above-mentioned decomposition tank propeller and the above-mentioned transfer screw are connected to each other by penetrating the above-mentioned bulkhead.

4. In paragraph 3, A food waste disposer in which the above-mentioned decomposition tank propeller and the above-mentioned transfer screw are arranged facing each other based on the above-mentioned bulkhead.

5. In paragraph 1, The above transfer screw is, A screw section for transporting the above food to the collection section, Including a door that opens and closes the transport port when the transport screw rotates, A food waste disposer in which the above door is located between the above transfer screw and the above bulkhead.

6. In paragraph 5, The above door, A food waste disposer that protrudes in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the above-mentioned transfer screw from the rotation axis of the above-mentioned transfer screw.

7. In paragraph 5, The above door, A food waste disposer having a fan shape centered on the rotation axis of the above-mentioned transfer screw.

8. In paragraph 5, The above transport unit, A position cam protruding from the rotation axis of the above-mentioned transfer screw to recognize the position of the door; and A food waste disposer further comprising a door sensor for detecting the above location cam.

9. In paragraph 8, The above transport unit, It further includes a motor that rotates the above decomposition tank propeller and the above transfer screw, The above motor, A food waste disposer that stops when a signal for the door's position is input from the door sensor after a signal for stopping rotation is input.

10. In paragraph 5, The above transport unit, It further includes a motor that rotates the above decomposition tank propeller and the above transfer screw, The above transport member is positioned to overlap the above transport screw in the direction of the rotation axis of the above transport screw, A food waste disposer in which, during the rotation of the above motor, the transport port alternately repeats an overlapping state in which the door and the transport screw overlap in the direction of the rotation axis and a non-overlapping state in which the door and the transport screw do not overlap.

11. In paragraph 1, The above decomposition tank propeller is, A propeller rotation shaft coupled to the rotation shaft of the above transfer screw; A first propeller extending in a direction intersecting the propeller rotation axis from the propeller rotation axis; and A food waste disposer comprising a second propeller extending in the opposite direction to the first propeller from the propeller rotation axis.

12. In paragraph 11, The above decomposition tank propeller is, A food waste disposer further comprising a removal propeller extending in a direction parallel to the propeller rotation axis from one end of the first propeller.

13. In paragraph 12, Further comprising a bulkhead positioned between the collection unit and the decomposition tank, A food waste disposer wherein the first propeller is positioned between the removal propeller and the bulkhead.

14. In paragraph 12, The above transfer screw is, A screw section for transporting the above food to the collection section, Including a door that opens and closes the transport port when the transport screw rotates, The above door, Positioned so as to overlap in the direction of the rotation axis of the second propeller and the transfer screw, A food waste disposer in which the first propeller and the removal propeller are positioned so as not to overlap with each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the transfer screw.

15. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a bulkhead positioned between the collection unit and the decomposition tank, The above bulkhead, It further includes a connecting hole through which the rotation axis of the above decomposition tank propeller passes, The above-mentioned transport port is a food waste disposer having an arc shape centered on the above-mentioned connecting hole.

Citation Information

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