Water treatment apparatus and method for controlling same

Abstract

This water treatment apparatus comprises: a first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply flow path; and a valve for switching the direction of water supplied through the water supply flow path from the water supply flow path to a second side which is opposite to the first side of the first electrode module, and from the water supply flow path to the first side of the second electrode module.

Description

Water treatment device and control method of water treatment device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water treatment device utilizing electrochemical desalination technology and a method for controlling the water treatment device.

[0002] Desalination technology is a technology that is widely required across various industries, such as removing hardness components like calcium and magnesium from water in areas with high hardness content for drinking or boiler use, or for use as cooling water in power plants or factories.

[0003] Electrochemical deionization technology is a technique that removes ions by adsorbing them onto electrodes using electrochemical methods. Examples of electrochemical deionization technology include electrodialysis (ED), electrodeionization (EDI), and capacitive deionization (CDI).

[0004] Through electrochemical desalination technology, an electric field is formed via electrodes contained in the filter to move and remove ions, thereby producing purified water with ions removed from external water.

[0005] Electrochemical desalination technology is composed of multiple electrodes to increase desalination efficiency, and can produce purified water by removing ions contained in water that has passed through multiple electrodes.

[0006] The present disclosure may provide a water treatment device comprising a plurality of electrode modules and capable of switching the direction of water passing through the plurality of electrode modules, and a method for controlling the water treatment device.

[0007] The present disclosure can provide a water treatment device capable of supplying different power sources to each of a plurality of electrode modules, and a method for controlling the water treatment device.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0009] A water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply channel; and a valve for switching the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to a second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module from the water supply channel and to the first side of the second electrode module from the water supply channel.

[0010] A water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a first electrode module including a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module including a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply channel; a power supply unit that supplies a first power source and a second power source to each of the first electrode module and the second electrode module; a valve; and a control unit; wherein, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is a second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module, the control unit may switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module or adjust the first power source supplied to the first electrode module.

[0011] A control method for a water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply path; and a valve that switches the direction of water supplied through the water supply path to a second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module or to the first side of the second electrode module, wherein the control method may include controlling the valve based on at least one of the concentration or flow rate of water supplied through the water supply path.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, there is a better effect of relatively increasing the lifespan of a plurality of electrode modules by changing the direction of water passing through a plurality of electrode modules and changing the order in which water passes through the plurality of electrode modules.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, by controlling the magnitude and duty cycle of the power supplied to the electrode module into which water first flows among a plurality of electrode modules, there is a better effect of increasing desalination efficiency.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conceptual diagram of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the direction of water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an example different from FIG. 3 of the direction of water supplied from the water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment passes through an electrode module.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an example different from FIG. 5 in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment passes through an electrode module.

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to an embodiment different from FIG. 5 passes through an electrode module.

[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates an example different from FIG. 7 in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to an embodiment different from FIG. 5 passes through an electrode module.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of an electrode module according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a deionization operation method by an electrode module according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a regenerative operation method by an electrode module according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of the direction of water supplied through a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 13 illustrates an example different from FIG. 12 of the direction of water supplied through the water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a control method for a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a control method for a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining an example of switching the direction of water supplied through a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment or supplying power to each of a plurality of electrode modules.

[0030] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said embodiments.

[0031] In relation to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0032] The singular form of the noun corresponding to the item may include one or multiple items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0034] The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related described components or any of the multiple related described components.

[0035] The terms "part," "module," and "component" may be implemented in hardware or software. Depending on the embodiments, a plurality of "parts," "modules," and "components" may be implemented as a single component, or a single "part," "module," or "component" may include a plurality of components.

[0036] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish a component from another component and do not limit the components in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0037] Where any (e.g., 1st) component is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., 2nd) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicationly," it means that said any component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0038] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this document, and do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039] When it is said that a component is "connected," "combined," "supported," or "in contact" with another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, combined, supported, or in contact, but also cases where they are indirectly connected, combined, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0040] When it is said that a component is located "on" another component, this includes not only cases where one component is in contact with the other, but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0041] Meanwhile, terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings; however, the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, the front side may be defined as the +X side and the rear side as the -X side. For example, based on the drawings, the right side may be defined as the +Y side and the left side as the -Y side. For example, based on the drawings, the top side may be defined as the +Z side and the bottom side as the -Z side.

[0042] Water treatment devices according to various embodiments can purify contaminated water to make it clean. Water treatment devices are used in sewage treatment facilities, industrial processes, and water supply systems within homes or offices, playing an important role in environmental protection and human health. Water purified to a clean state by a water treatment device can be discharged back into nature, used for cleaning purposes, used as drinking water, or reused in industrial processes.

[0043] According to various embodiments, the water treatment device may include not only household water treatment devices such as water purifiers or water softeners, but also industrial water treatment devices.

[0044] Water treatment devices can produce purified water by purifying raw water introduced from the outside through various methods, such as biological treatment, chemical treatment, and physical treatment methods.

[0045] A water treatment device according to one embodiment can produce purified water by purifying raw water introduced from the outside using an electrochemical method among chemical treatment methods. For example, the water treatment device can produce purified water by purifying raw water introduced from the outside through at least one method among electrodialysis (ED), electrodeionization (EDI), and capacitive deionization (CDI).

[0046] Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, a water treatment device according to one embodiment is described as a device that generates purified water from raw water introduced from the outside through a capacitive deionization method.

[0047] Capacitive deionization refers to a method of removing ions from raw water introduced from the outside by utilizing the principle that ions are adsorbed and desorbed from the surface of electrodes by an electrical force generated between electrodes. In this specification, removing ions from raw water introduced from the outside may include removing ionic substances from raw water introduced from the outside.

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conceptual diagram of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a water treatment device (1) according to one embodiment can treat water supplied from a water source (50) that stores water or supplies water from the outside. The water stored or supplied by the water source (50) may be referred to as raw water.

[0051] The water treatment device (1) may include a pump (51) that pumps external water (e.g., water supplied from a water source (50).

[0052] The water treatment device (1) may include a first water supply guide (21) configured to allow water pumped by a pump (51) to flow.

[0053] Water pumped by the pump (51) can flow through the first water supply guide (21).

[0054] A pre-filter may be provided in the first water supply guide (21). The pre-filter receives water pumped by the pump (51) and can remove relatively large particulate suspended solids, dust, sand, etc. contained in the water, or remove organic chemicals, carcinogens, residual chlorine, etc. contained in the water.

[0055] The water treatment device (1) may include a storage room (70) connected to the first water supply guide (21) and storing a scale remover.

[0056] The storage chamber (70) may store a scale remover for scale removal of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0057] When deionization operation, which removes ionic substances contained in water by adsorbing them onto electrodes via an electrochemical method, and regeneration operation, which desorbs the ionic substances adsorbed onto the electrodes, are repeated, scale may accumulate on the electrodes, which can reduce the efficiency of the water treatment process.

[0058] To this end, it is necessary to perform a scale removal operation to remove scale accumulated on the electrode. Therefore, the scale remover may include an acidic substance (e.g., citric acid) to remove scale accumulated on the electrode.

[0059] The water treatment device (1) may include a second water supply guide (22a) and / or a third water supply guide (22b) configured to allow water flowing from the first water supply guide (21) to flow.

[0060] The water flowing from the first water supply guide (21) may flow through the second water supply guide (22a) or through the third water supply guide (22b).

[0061] The water treatment device (1) may include a first inlet / outlet guide (23) configured to allow water flowing in from the second water supply guide (22a) or water discharged from the first electrode module (210) to flow.

[0062] The water treatment device (1) may include a second inlet / outlet guide (25) configured to allow water flowing in from the third water supply guide (22b) or water flowing out from the second electrode module (220).

[0063] The water treatment device (1) may include a plurality of electrode modules (200). The plurality of electrode modules (200) may include a first electrode module (210) and a second electrode module (220).

[0064] Although the number of electrode modules is shown as two in FIG. 1, the water treatment device (1) may include more than two electrode modules according to various embodiments. Hereinafter, it will be described as having two electrode modules.

[0065] Each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) can remove ionic substances from external water (e.g., water supplied from a water source) using an electrochemical method (e.g., electrodialysis (ED), electrodeionization (EDI), and capacitive deionization (CDI)). The ionic substances may include sodium ions (Na+), potassium ions (K+), magnesium ions (Mg2+), calcium ions (Ca2+), etc.

[0066] Hereinafter, the arrangement of a plurality of electrode modules (200) including a first electrode module (210) and a second electrode module (220) will be described.

[0067] The first side of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) may include the lower side of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220). The lower side of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) may include a side corresponding to the lower direction (-Z direction) of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0068] The second side of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) may include the upper side of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220). The upper side of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) may include a side corresponding to the upper direction (+Z direction) of each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0069] However, the first side and the second side are not limited thereto, and the first side and the second side may be defined according to various embodiments. For example, the first side may be the upper side and the second side may be the lower side. Additionally, the first side may be the left side and the second side may be the right side.

[0070] For the convenience of explanation, the first side is described as the lower side and the second side as the upper side.

[0071] The second electrode module (220) can be positioned adjacent to the lower side of the first electrode module (210).

[0072] The first electrode module (210) can be positioned adjacent to the upper side of the second electrode module (220).

[0073] The first electrode module (210) can be connected to the first inlet / outlet guide (23). For example, the upper side of the first electrode module (210) can be connected to the first inlet / outlet guide (23).

[0074] Water can be introduced into the first electrode module (210) from the first inlet / outlet guide (23). Additionally, water discharged from the first electrode module (210) can flow into the first inlet / outlet guide (23).

[0075] The second electrode module (220) can be connected to the second inlet / outlet guide (25). For example, the lower side of the second electrode module (220) can be connected to the second inlet / outlet guide (25).

[0076] Water can be introduced into the second electrode module (220) from the second inlet / outlet guide (25). Additionally, water discharged from the second electrode module (220) can flow into the second inlet / outlet guide (25).

[0077] An intermediate guide (24) may be provided between the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220). The intermediate guide (24) may be configured to connect the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) so that water discharged from the first electrode module (210) flows into the second electrode module (220), or so that water discharged from the second electrode module (220) flows into the first electrode module (210).

[0078] The water treatment device (1) may include a first drainage device (91) and a second drainage device (92) for draining water discharged from the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) to the outside.

[0079] The first drainage device (91) can be configured to be connected to the first inlet / outlet guide (23) so that water flowing from the second inlet / outlet guide (23) is drained. For example, water flowing from the first inlet / outlet guide (23) can flow to the first drainage device (91) through the first drainage guide (29a).

[0080] The second drainage device (92) may be connected to the second inlet / outlet guide (25) and configured to allow water flowing from the second inlet / outlet guide (25) to be drained. For example, water flowing from the second inlet / outlet guide (25) may flow to the second drainage device (92) through the second drainage guide (29b).

[0081] The water treatment device (1) may include a first water outlet guide (26), a second water outlet guide (27) and / or a third water outlet guide (28) configured to allow water passing through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) to flow.

[0082] Water flowing from the third water supply guide (22b) and passing through the second electrode module (220) and the first electrode module (210) can flow into the first water outlet guide (26).

[0083] Water flowing from the second water supply guide (22a) and passing through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) can flow into the second water outlet guide (27).

[0084] In the third water outlet guide (28), water flowing from the first water outlet guide (26) or water flowing from the second water outlet guide (27) may flow.

[0085] A post filter may be provided in the third water outlet guide (28). The post filter can perform the function of removing unpleasant tastes, smells, scents, etc. of the water flowing through the third water outlet guide (28).

[0086] Water flowing from the third discharge guide (28) can be discharged through the discharge member (95).

[0087] The water discharged through the discharge member (95) may include purified water obtained by purifying external water. The water discharged through the discharge member can be used for various purposes, such as drinking, cooking, and washing.

[0088] The water treatment device (1) may include a plurality of flow rate sensors (151, 152) and / or a plurality of concentration sensors (153, 154).

[0089] A plurality of flow sensors (151, 152) may include a first flow sensor (151) and a second flow sensor (152).

[0090] A first flow sensor (151) may be provided in the first water supply guide (21). A second flow sensor (152) may be provided in the third water outlet guide (28).

[0091] A plurality of concentration sensors (153, 154) may include a first concentration sensor (153) and a second concentration sensor (154).

[0092] The first concentration sensor (153) may be provided in the first water supply guide (21). The second concentration sensor (154) may be provided in the third water outlet guide (28).

[0093] However, the locations of the plurality of flow rate sensors (151, 152) and the plurality of concentration sensors (153, 154) may be provided at various locations of the water treatment device (1) according to various embodiments. For example, the second flow rate sensor (152) and the second concentration sensor (154) may be provided at the first water discharge guide (26) or at the second water discharge guide (27).

[0094] The water treatment device (1) may include at least one valve (60).

[0095] At least one valve (60) may include a descale valve (61) configured so that water flowing through the first water supply guide (21) flows through the storage room (70) or bypasses the storage room (70).

[0096] At least one valve (60) may include a water supply valve (62) that allows water flowing from the first water supply guide (21) to flow to the second water supply guide (22a) or to the third water supply guide (22b).

[0097] The water supply valve (62) can allow or block water flowing from the first water supply guide (21) to flow to the second water supply guide (22a).

[0098] The water supply valve (62) can allow or block water flowing from the first water supply guide (21) to flow to the third water supply guide (22b).

[0099] At least one valve (60) may include a first inlet / outlet valve (63) that allows water flowing from the second water supply guide (22a) to flow into the first inlet / outlet guide (23) or water flowing from the first inlet / outlet guide (23) to flow into the first outlet guide (26).

[0100] The first inlet / outlet valve (63) allows water flowing from the second water supply guide (22a) to flow into the first inlet / outlet guide (23), while simultaneously blocking water flowing from the second water supply guide (22a) from flowing into the first outlet guide (26).

[0101] The first inlet / outlet valve (63) allows water flowing from the first inlet / outlet guide (23) to flow to the first outlet guide (26), while simultaneously blocking water flowing from the second water supply guide (22a) from flowing to the first outlet guide (26) and the first inlet / outlet guide (23).

[0102] At least one valve (60) may include a second inlet / outlet valve (64) that allows water flowing from the third water supply guide (22b) to flow into the second inlet / outlet guide (25) or water flowing from the second inlet / outlet guide (25) to flow into the second outlet guide (27).

[0103] The second inlet / outlet valve (64) allows water flowing from the third water supply guide (22b) to flow into the second inlet / outlet guide (25), while simultaneously blocking water flowing from the third water supply guide (22b) from flowing into the second outlet guide (27).

[0104] The second inlet / outlet valve (64) allows water flowing from the second inlet / outlet guide (25) to flow to the second outlet guide (27), while simultaneously blocking water flowing from the third water supply guide (22b) from flowing to the second outlet guide (27) and the second inlet / outlet guide (25).

[0105] At least one valve (60) may include a discharge valve (65) that allows water flowing from the first discharge guide (26) to flow to the third discharge guide (28) or water flowing from the second discharge guide (27) to flow to the third discharge guide (28).

[0106] The water outlet valve (65) allows water flowing from the first water outlet guide (26) to flow to the third water outlet guide (28) while blocking it from flowing to the second water outlet guide (27).

[0107] The water outlet valve (65) allows water flowing from the second water outlet guide (27) to flow to the third water outlet guide (28) while blocking it from flowing to the first water outlet guide (26).

[0108] At least one valve (60) of the present disclosure may include only the water supply valve (62) and the water outlet valve (65) among the water supply valve (62), the first inlet / outlet valve (63), the second inlet / outlet valve (64), and the water outlet valve (65). Additionally, at least one valve (60) of the present disclosure may include only the first inlet / outlet valve (63) and the second inlet / outlet valve (64) among the water supply valve (62), the first inlet / outlet valve (63), the second inlet / outlet valve (64), and the water outlet valve (65).

[0109] However, for convenience of explanation, at least one valve (60) is described below as including a water supply valve (62), a first inlet / outlet valve (63), a second inlet / outlet valve (64), and a water outlet valve (65).

[0110] At least one valve (60) may include a first drain valve (67) and / or a second drain valve (66) configured to allow water discharged from the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) to be drained to the outside.

[0111] The first drain valve (67) can allow or block water flowing from the first inlet / outlet guide (23) from flowing to the first drain guide (29a).

[0112] The second drain valve (68) can allow or block water flowing from the second inlet / outlet guide (23) from flowing to the second drain guide (29b).

[0113] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 2, a water treatment device (1) according to one embodiment may include a user interface (140), a sensor unit (150), a power supply unit (190), a plurality of electrode modules (200), at least one valve (60), a pump (51), a communication unit (160) and / or a control unit (80).

[0115] The user interface (140) may include an input interface (141) and an output interface (142).

[0116] The input interface (141) can convert sensory information received from the user into an electrical signal.

[0117] The input interface (141) may include a power input interface for turning on the power of the water treatment device (1), an operation input interface for starting the operation of the water treatment device (1), and a setting input interface. The input interface (141) may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0118] The output interface (142) can transmit various information related to the operation of the water treatment device (1) to the user by generating sensory information.

[0119] For example, the output interface (142) can transmit to the user information related to the operating time of the water treatment device (1), the settings of the water treatment device (1), and information obtained from the sensor unit (150). The information of the water treatment device (1) can be output via a screen, an indicator, voice, etc. The output interface (142) may include, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

[0120] The sensor unit (150) may include a plurality of flow sensors (151, 152) and / or a plurality of concentration sensors (153, 154).

[0121] A plurality of flow sensors (151, 152) may include a first flow sensor (151) and a second flow sensor (152).

[0122] The first flow sensor (151) can measure the flow rate of water flowing through the first water supply guide (21). The second flow sensor (152) can measure the flow rate of water flowing through the third water outlet guide (28).

[0123] A plurality of concentration sensors (153, 154) may include a first concentration sensor (153) and a second concentration sensor (154).

[0124] The first concentration sensor (153) can measure the concentration of water flowing through the first water supply guide (21). The second concentration sensor (154) can measure the concentration of water flowing through the third water outlet guide (28).

[0125] The first concentration sensor (153) and the second concentration sensor (154) may include a TDS sensor capable of measuring the Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) contained in water. The Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) may include the total amount of ionic substances and organic substances dissolved in water.

[0126] Multiple flow sensors (151, 152) can transmit information regarding the measured flow rate of water to the control unit (80).

[0127] Multiple concentration sensors (153, 154) can transmit information regarding the measured concentration of water to the control unit (80).

[0128] The power supply unit (190) can supply power to each of the plurality of electrode modules (200), including the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220). The power may include voltage and / or current applied to the plurality of electrode modules (200).

[0129] The power supply unit (190) can supply power of different sizes to each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0130] The magnitude of the power supply may correspond to the magnitude of the voltage and / or current supplied to each of the plurality of electrode modules (200). The magnitude of the voltage may include a value corresponding to the absolute value of the voltage. The magnitude of the current may include a value corresponding to the absolute value of the current.

[0131] The power supply unit (190) can supply power having different duty ratios to each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0132] The duty cycle of the power supply may include the ratio of the time during which power is supplied to the electrode module (200) during a predetermined time.

[0133] For example, if the predetermined time is 1 minute, the power supply unit (190) can supply voltage to the first electrode module (210) for 1 minute and supply voltage to the second electrode module (220) for 30 seconds.

[0134] The control unit (80) can control the power unit (190) so that the power unit (190) supplies power to the first electrode module (210) and / or the second electrode module (220).

[0135] At least one valve (60) can change the direction of water according to a control signal from the control unit (80). Additionally, the control unit (80) can adjust the opening amount of at least one valve (60) according to the control signal.

[0136] The pump (51) can pump external water (e.g., water supplied from a water source (50)) according to a control signal from the control unit (80). As a result, external water can flow through the first water supply guide (21).

[0137] The communication unit (160) can communicate with external devices (e.g., servers, user devices, and / or home appliances) via wired and / or wireless communication.

[0138] The communication unit (160) may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

[0139] The communication unit (160) can transmit data to an external device or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication unit (160) can establish communication with a server, a user device and / or a home appliance and transmit and receive various data.

[0140] To this end, the communication unit (160) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication unit (160) may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a LAN (local area network) communication module, or a power line communication module). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0141] A short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, Bluetooth communication modules, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication modules, Near Field Communication modules, WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication modules, Zigbee communication modules, infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication modules, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication modules, UWB (ultrawideband) communication modules, Ant+ communication modules, microwave (uWave) communication modules, etc.

[0142] The long-distance communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0143] In one embodiment, the communication unit (160) can communicate with external devices such as a server, user device, and home appliance through a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the water treatment device (1), home appliance, and / or user device are connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The water treatment device (1), home appliance, and / or user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).

[0144] The communication unit (160) can receive information regarding the flow rate of water and / or information regarding the concentration of water from an external device.

[0145] For example, if a sensor for measuring the water flow rate and water concentration is installed outside the water treatment device (1), the communication unit (160) can receive information regarding the water flow rate and water concentration from the sensor installed outside the water treatment device (1).

[0146] Information obtained by the communication unit (160) can be transmitted to the control unit (80).

[0147] The control unit (80) can control various components of the water treatment device (1) (e.g., user interface (140), sensor unit (150), power unit (190), at least one valve (60), pump (51) and / or communication unit (160)). For example, the control unit (80) can control the power unit (190) so that power having different sizes or different duty ratios is supplied to each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0148] The control unit (80) may include hardware such as a CPU, a Micom, or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the control unit (80) may include an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the water treatment device (1), at least one memory (82) for storing data in the form of a program, and / or at least one processor (81) for performing the aforementioned operation and the subsequent operation using the data stored in the at least one memory (82). The memory (82) and the processor (81) may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor (81) may include one or more processor chips or one or more processing cores. The memory (82) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Additionally, the memory (82) and the processor (81) may be implemented as a single chip.

[0149] The control unit (80) can be electrically connected to a user interface (140), a sensor unit (150), a power unit (190), at least one valve (60), a pump (51) and / or a communication unit (160).

[0150] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the direction of water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0151] FIG. 4 illustrates an example different from FIG. 3 of the direction of water supplied from the water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0152] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a water treatment device (1) according to one embodiment may include a water supply channel (P0). The water supply channel (P0) may include a channel through which water flows through a first water supply guide (21).

[0153] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the water treatment device (1) may include a first guide channel (P1) configured to guide water supplied through a water supply channel (P0) to the upper side of a first electrode module (210). The first guide channel (P1) may include a water channel flowing through a second water supply guide (22a) and a first inlet / outlet guide (23).

[0154] In one embodiment, the water treatment device (1) may include an intermediate flow path connected between a first electrode module (210) and a second electrode module (220). The intermediate flow path is a first intermediate flow path (P) through which water discharged after passing through the first electrode module (210) flows. 11 It may include ). The first intermediate euro (P 11 Water flowing through ) can flow into the second electrode module (220). The first intermediate channel (P 11 ) may include a water flow path through an intermediate guide (24).

[0155] The water treatment device (1) has a first outlet channel (P) through which water discharged after passing through the second electrode module (220) flows. 12 It may include ).

[0156] 1st outlet flow path (P 12 ) may include a water flow path through the second inlet / outlet guide (25), the second outlet guide (27), and the third outlet guide (28).

[0157] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the water treatment device (1) may include a second guide channel (P2) configured to guide water flowing through a water supply channel (P0) to the lower side of a second electrode module (220). The second guide channel (P2) may include a water channel flowing through a third water supply guide (22b) and a second inlet / outlet guide (25).

[0158] In one embodiment, the intermediate channel is a second intermediate channel (P) through which water discharged by passing through the second electrode module (220) flows. 21It may include ). The second intermediate euro (P 21 Water flowing through ) can be introduced into the first electrode module (210). The second intermediate channel (P 21 ) may include a water flow path through an intermediate guide (24).

[0159] The water treatment device (1) has a second outlet channel (P) through which water discharged after passing through the first electrode module (210) flows. 22 It may include ). The second outlet path (P 22 ) may include a water flow path through the first inlet / outlet guide (23), the first outlet guide (26), and the third outlet guide (28).

[0160] In various embodiments, at least one valve (60) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0). The switching of the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) will be described below.

[0161] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can divert the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the upper side of the first electrode module (210).

[0162] Referring to FIG. 3, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is in the lower side of the second electrode module (220), at least one valve (60) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) from the lower side of the second electrode module (220) to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) by connecting the water supply channel (P0) and the first guide channel (P1) and blocking the second guide channel (P2).

[0163] Connecting the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) may include a water supply valve (62) that allows water flowing through the water supply path (P0) to flow into the second water supply guide (22a).

[0164] Connecting the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) may include the first inlet / outlet valve (63) allowing water flowing through the second water supply guide (22a) to flow into the first inlet / outlet guide (23).

[0165] When the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) are connected, the first inlet / outlet valve (63) can block water flowing through the second water supply guide (22a) from flowing to the first water outlet guide (26).

[0166] Blocking the second guide path (P2) may include the water supply valve (62) blocking the water flowing through the water supply path (P0) from flowing to the third water supply guide (22b).

[0167] Blocking the second guide channel (P2) may include blocking the water flowing through the third water supply guide (22b) from flowing into the second inflow guide (25). That is, even if the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows through the third water supply guide (22b), the second guide channel (P2) can be blocked by blocking the water flowing through the third water supply guide (22b) from flowing into the second inflow guide (25).

[0168] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can divert the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the lower side of the second electrode module (220).

[0169] Referring to FIG. 4, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is in the upper side of the first electrode module (210), at least one valve (60) can connect the water supply channel (P0) and the second guide channel (P2) and block the first guide channel (P1) to switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) to the lower side of the second electrode module (210).

[0170] Connecting the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) may include a water supply valve (62) that allows water flowing through the water supply path (P0) to flow into the third water supply guide (22b).

[0171] Connecting the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) may include the second inlet / outlet valve (64) allowing water flowing through the third water supply guide (22b) to flow into the second inlet / outlet guide (25).

[0172] When the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) are connected, the second inlet / outlet valve (64) can block water flowing through the third water supply guide (22b) from flowing to the second water outlet guide (27).

[0173] Blocking the first guide path (P1) may include the water supply valve (62) blocking the water flowing through the water supply path (P0) from flowing to the second water supply guide (22a).

[0174] Blocking the first guide channel (P1) may include blocking the water flowing through the second water supply guide (22a) from flowing into the third inflow guide (23). That is, even if the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows through the second water supply guide (22a), the first guide channel (P1) can be blocked by blocking the water flowing through the second water supply guide (22a) from flowing into the first inflow guide (23).

[0175] FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment passes through an electrode module.

[0176] Referring to FIG. 5, a water treatment device (1) according to one embodiment may include a housing (100).

[0177] The housing (100) can accommodate a plurality of electrode modules (200). For example, the housing (100) can accommodate a first electrode module (210) and a second electrode module (220).

[0178] The first electrode module (210) may include a plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211). The first electrode module (210) may include a plurality of first ion exchange layers (212) disposed between each of the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211).

[0179] Each of the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) and the plurality of first ion exchange layers (212) may be provided in a cylindrical shape with a hollow formed at a position corresponding to the center of the housing (100).

[0180] The second electrode module (220) may include a plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221). The second electrode module (220) may include a second ion exchange layer (222) disposed between each of the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221).

[0181] Each of the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) and the plurality of second ion exchange layers (222) may be provided in a cylindrical shape with a hollow formed at a position corresponding to the center of the housing (100).

[0182] A first flow hole (430a) formed in the central part of the housing (100) may be formed in the hollow formed at a position corresponding to the central part of the housing (100).

[0183] The first ion exchange layer (212) may include a spacer (212c, see FIG. 9) configured to allow water flowing inside the housing (100) to flow between a plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d), and an anion exchange membrane (212a, see FIG. 9) and a cation exchange membrane (212b, see FIG. 9) configured to exchange ionic substances contained in the water.

[0184] In addition to the first ion exchange layer (212), the second ion exchange layer (222) may also include the same configuration. For example, the second ion exchange layer (222) may also include a spacer configured to allow water flowing inside the housing (100) to flow between a plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221), an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane configured to exchange ionic substances contained in the water.

[0185] A second flow hole (430b) configured to allow water to flow into the interior of the housing (100) may be formed between the side of the housing (100) and a plurality of electrode modules (200) including a plurality of first electrode modules (210) and a plurality of second electrode modules (220).

[0186] A distribution plate (400) configured to allow water flowing in through the first opening (11a) to flow into the second flow hole (430b) may be provided on the upper side of the first electrode module (210). The center of the distribution plate (400) may include a distribution section (500) configured to allow water flowing in through the first opening (11a) to flow along one side of the distribution plate (400). Accordingly, water flowing in through the first opening (11a) can flow through the second flow hole (430b) along one side of the distribution plate (400) by means of the distribution section (500).

[0187] The distribution plate (400) may be provided with a first electrode terminal (310) configured to supply power to the first electrode module (210). The first electrode terminal (310) may be connected to a power supply unit (190) to supply power to the first electrode module (210).

[0188] A second electrode terminal (320) configured to supply power to the second electrode module (220) may be provided on the lower side of the second electrode module (220). The second electrode terminal (320) may be connected to a power supply unit (190) to supply power to the second electrode module (210).

[0189] A separation plate (380) may be provided between the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0190] On one side of the separation plate (380), a third electrode terminal (330) may be provided, which is positioned between the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) and configured to supply power to the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0191] A portion of the third electrode terminal (330) can be placed inside the housing (100).

[0192] Although FIG. 5 shows that the entire third electrode terminal (330) is positioned inside the housing (100), some parts of the third electrode terminal (330) may be positioned inside the housing (100) and other parts of the third electrode terminal (330) may be positioned outside the housing (100).

[0193] The third electrode terminal (330) can be connected to the power supply unit (190) to allow power to be supplied to the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0194] The first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) may be bipolar electrode modules. A bipolar method means that, unlike a monopolar (or unipolar) method in which power is supplied to each of the electrodes included in the electrode module, power is supplied only to a pair of electrodes positioned at the outermost edge among the plurality of electrodes included in the electrode module, so that one side of all electrodes included in the electrode module functions as a positive electrode and the other side functions as a negative electrode.

[0195] For example, the power supply unit (190) supplies power to the first electrode (211a) positioned on the upper side among the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) through the first electrode terminal (310), and the power supply unit (190) supplies power to the first electrode (211d) positioned on the lower side among the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) through the third electrode terminal (330), so that one side of each of the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) can function as a positive electrode and the other side as a negative electrode.

[0196] As another example, the power supply unit (190) supplies power to the second electrode (221d) positioned on the lower side among the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) through the second electrode terminal (320), and the power supply unit (190) supplies power to the first electrode (211d) positioned on the upper side among the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) through the third electrode terminal (330), so that one side of each of the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) can function as a positive electrode and the other side as a negative electrode.

[0197] Different power sources can be supplied to the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) respectively by the first electrode terminal (310), the second electrode terminal (320), and the third electrode terminal (330) according to the present disclosure.

[0198] For example, when the power supply unit (190) supplies negative power through the third electrode terminal (330) and supplies positive power to the first electrode terminal (310) and the second electrode terminal (320), the power supply unit (190) can supply power having different sizes or different duty ratios to the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) by adjusting the size or duty ratio of the positive power supplied through the first electrode terminal (310) and the second electrode terminal (320).

[0199] The housing (100) may include a first inlet / outlet section (11) connected to a first inlet / outlet guide (23). The first inlet / outlet section (11) may be provided on the upper side of the first electrode module (210).

[0200] In one embodiment, the housing (100) may include a first opening (11a) provided on the upper side of the first electrode module (210). For example, the first opening (11a) provided on the upper side of the first electrode module (210) may be formed in the first inlet / outlet part (11).

[0201] In one embodiment, the first guide channel (P1) may be configured to guide water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) to the first opening (11a).

[0202] For example, water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can flow into the first opening (11a) formed in the first inlet / outlet section (11) by flowing into the first guide channel (P1).

[0203] Water flowing into the first opening (11a) can flow through the second flow hole (430b). Water flowing through the second flow hole (430b) can pass through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) and flow into the first flow hole (430a). For example, water flowing through the second flow hole (430b) can pass through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) via the first ion exchange layer (212) and the second ion exchange layer (222) and flow into the first flow hole (430a).

[0204] The housing (100) may include a second inlet / outlet section (12) connected to a second inlet / outlet guide (25). The second inlet / outlet section (12) may be provided on the lower side of the second electrode module (220).

[0205] In one embodiment, the housing (100) may include a second opening (12a) provided on the lower side of the second electrode module (220). For example, a second opening (12a) may be formed on the lower side of the second electrode module (220) in the second inlet / outlet part (12).

[0206] Water flowing into the first flow hole (430a) can flow through the first flow hole (430a) and into the second opening (12a).

[0207] Water flowing through the second opening (12a) can be discharged through the second inlet / outlet guide (25). The water discharged through the second inlet / outlet guide (25) is discharged through the first outlet path (P 12 It can flow through ).

[0208] When the housing (100) accommodates a first electrode module (210) and a second electrode module (220) as illustrated in FIG. 5, the intermediate guide (24, see FIG. 1) may correspond to a guide formed by a separation plate (380) between the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220). Additionally, the first intermediate flow path (P 11) may include a flow path flowing through a guide formed by a separation plate (380).

[0209] FIG. 6 illustrates an example different from FIG. 5 in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment passes through an electrode module.

[0210] Referring to FIG. 6, the second guide channel (P2) can be configured to guide water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) to the second opening (12a).

[0211] For example, water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can be guided to the second opening (12a) formed in the second inlet / outlet section (12) by flowing into the second guide channel (P2).

[0212] Water guided to the second opening (12a) can flow through the first flow hole (430a) and the second flow hole (430b). Water flowing through the first flow hole (430a) can pass through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) and flow into the second flow hole (430b). For example, water flowing through the first flow hole (430a) can pass through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) via the first ion exchange layer (212) and the second ion exchange layer (222) and flow into the second flow hole (430b).

[0213] Water flowing through the second flow hole (430b) can flow along one side of the distribution plate (400) and flow into the first opening (11a).

[0214] Water flowing through the first opening (11a) can be discharged through the first inlet / outlet guide (23). The water discharged through the first inlet / outlet guide (23) is discharged through the second outlet path (P 22 It can flow through ).

[0215] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) by connecting the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) and blocking the second guide path (P2).

[0216] For example, referring to FIG. 5, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is to the lower side of the second electrode module (220), the water supply valve (62) and the first inlet / outlet valve (63) can connect the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) by allowing the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to flow into the first opening (11a). Additionally, the water supply valve (62) and / or the second inlet / outlet valve (64) can block the second guide path (P2) by blocking the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) from flowing into the second opening (12a).

[0217] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can divert the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the lower side of the second electrode module (220) by connecting the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) and blocking the first guide path (P1).

[0218] For example, referring to FIG. 6, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is to the lower side of the second electrode module (220), the water supply valve (62) and the second inlet / outlet valve (64) can connect the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) by allowing the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to flow into the second opening (12a). Additionally, the water supply valve (62) and / or the first inlet / outlet valve (63) can block the first guide path (P1) by blocking the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) from flowing into the first opening (11a).

[0219] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to an embodiment different from FIG. 5 passes through an electrode module.

[0220] Referring to FIG. 7, a water treatment device (1) according to one embodiment may include a first housing (100-1) and a second housing (100-2).

[0221] A first housing (100-1) according to one embodiment can accommodate a first electrode module (210) among a plurality of electrode modules (200).

[0222] The first housing (100-1) may have the same configuration as the housing (100) shown in FIG. 5. For example, the first housing (100-1) may include a first inlet / outlet section (11-1) and a second inlet / outlet section (12-1).

[0223] The interior of the first housing (100-1) may be provided with the same configuration as the housing (100) shown in FIG. 5. For example, the interior of the first housing (100-1) may be provided with a distribution plate (400-1), a distribution section (500-1), a first flow hole (400a-1), a second flow hole (400b-1), a first electrode terminal (310-1), and a second electrode terminal (320-1).

[0224] In the interior of the first housing (100-1), the third electrode terminal (330) of the housing (100) illustrated in FIG. 5 may not be provided. In this case, power is applied to the first electrode (211a) positioned on the upper side among the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) through the first electrode terminal (310-1), and power is applied to the first electrode (211d) positioned on the lower side among the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) through the second electrode terminal (320-1), so that one side of each of the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211) can function as a positive electrode and the other side as a negative electrode.

[0225] A first housing (100-1) according to one embodiment may include a first housing opening (11a-1) provided on the upper side of a first electrode module (210).

[0226] The first housing opening (11a-1) is provided on the upper side of the first electrode module (210) and can be formed in the first inlet / outlet part (11-1) of the first housing (100-1).

[0227] The first inlet / outlet section (11-1) of the first housing (100-1) can be connected to the first inlet / outlet guide (23).

[0228] A first housing (100-1) according to one embodiment may include a first housing connection opening (12a-1) provided on the lower side of the first electrode module (210).

[0229] The first housing connection opening (12a-1) is provided on the lower side of the first electrode module (210) and can be formed in the second inlet / outlet part (12-1) of the first housing (100-1).

[0230] A second housing (100-2) according to one embodiment can accommodate a second electrode module (220) among a plurality of electrode modules (200).

[0231] The second housing (100-1) may include the same configuration as the housing (100) shown in FIG. 5. For example, the second housing (100-1) may include a first inlet / outlet section (11-2) and a second inlet / outlet section (12-2).

[0232] The interior of the second housing (100-2) may be provided with the same configuration as the housing (100) shown in FIG. 5. For example, the interior of the second housing (100-2) may include a distribution plate (400-2), a distribution section (500-2), a first flow hole (400a-2), a second flow hole (400b-2), a first electrode terminal (310-2), a second electrode terminal (320-2), a first inflow / outflow section (11-2), and a second inflow / outflow section (12-2).

[0233] In the interior of the second housing (100-2), the third electrode terminal (330) of the housing (100) illustrated in FIG. 5 may not be provided. In this case, power is applied to the second electrode (221a) positioned on the upper side among the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) through the first electrode terminal (310-2), and power is applied to the second electrode (211d) positioned on the lower side among the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) through the second electrode terminal (320-2), so that one side of each of the plurality of second electrodes (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d; 221) can function as a positive electrode and the other side as a negative electrode.

[0234] A second housing (100-2) according to one embodiment may include a second housing connection opening (11a-2) provided on the upper side of the second electrode module (220).

[0235] The second housing connection opening (11a-2) is provided on the upper side of the second electrode module (220) and can be formed in the first inlet / outlet part (11-2) of the second housing (100-2).

[0236] A second housing (100-2) according to one embodiment may include a second housing opening (12a-2) provided on the lower side of the second electrode module (220).

[0237] The second housing opening (12a-2) is provided on the lower side of the second electrode module (220) and can be formed in the second inlet / outlet part (12-2) of the second housing (100-2).

[0238] The second inlet / outlet section (12-2) of the second housing (100-2) can be connected to the second inlet / outlet guide (25).

[0239] In one embodiment, the water treatment device (1) may include an intermediate flow path connecting the first housing connection opening (12a-1) and the second housing connection opening (11a-2).

[0240] For example, the intermediate flow path may include a flow path formed by connecting the second inlet / outlet section (12-1) of the first housing (100-1) and the first inlet / outlet section (11-1) of the second housing (100-2) with an intermediate guide (24).

[0241] The intermediate flow path is a first intermediate flow path (P) that guides water discharged from the first housing (100-1) to the second housing (100-2). 11 A second intermediate flow path (P) that guides water discharged from the second housing (100-2) and the first housing (100-1) to the first housing (100-1). 21 It may include Fig. 8).

[0242] In one embodiment, the first guide channel (P1) may be configured to guide water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) to the first housing opening (11a-1) of the first housing (100-1).

[0243] For example, water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can flow into the first housing opening (11a-1) formed in the first inlet / outlet section (11-1) of the first housing (100-1) by flowing into the first guide channel (P1).

[0244] Water introduced into the first housing opening (11a-1) can flow through the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1). Water flowing through the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1) can pass through the first electrode module (210) and flow into the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the first housing (100-1). For example, water flowing through the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1) can pass through the first electrode module (210) via the first ion exchange layer (212) and flow into the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the first housing (100-1).

[0245] Water flowing into the first flow hole (430a-1) of the first housing (100-1) can flow through the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the first housing (100-1) and flow into the first housing connection opening (11a-2).

[0246] Water flowing through the first housing connection opening (12a-1) can be discharged to the intermediate guide (24). The water discharged to the intermediate guide (24) is discharged to the first intermediate flow path (P) formed by the intermediate guide (24). 11 It can be guided to the second housing (100-2) through ). For example, the first intermediate flow path (P 11 Water flowing through the ) can be introduced into the second housing connection opening (11a-2) formed in the first inlet / outlet part (11-2) of the second housing (100-2).

[0247] Water introduced through the second housing connection opening (11a-2) can flow through the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2). Water flowing through the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2) can pass through the second electrode module (220) and flow into the first flow hole (430a-2) inside the second housing (100-2). For example, water flowing through the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2) can pass through the second electrode module (220) via the second ion exchange layer (222) and flow into the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the second housing (100-2).

[0248] Water flowing into the first flow hole (430a-2) of the second housing (100-1) can flow through the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the second housing (100-2) and flow into the second housing opening (12a-2).

[0249] Water flowing through the second housing opening (12a-2) can be discharged through the second inlet / outlet guide (25). The water discharged through the second inlet / outlet guide (25) is discharged through the first outlet path (P 12 It can flow through ).

[0250] FIG. 8 illustrates an example different from FIG. 7 in which water supplied from a water supply path of a water treatment device according to an embodiment different from FIG. 5 passes through an electrode module.

[0251] Referring to FIG. 8, the second guide channel (P2) can be configured to guide water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) to the second housing opening (12a-2).

[0252] For example, water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can be guided to the second housing opening (12a-2) formed in the second inlet / outlet section (12-2) of the second housing (100-2) by flowing into the second guide channel (P2).

[0253] Water guided to the second housing opening (12a-2) can flow through the first flow hole (430a-2) and the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2). Water flowing through the first flow hole (430a-2) inside the second housing (100-2) can pass through the second electrode module (220) and flow into the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2). For example, water flowing through the first flow hole (430a-2) inside the second housing (100-2) can pass through the second electrode module (220) via the second ion exchange layer (222) and flow into the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2).

[0254] Water flowing through the second flow hole (430b-2) inside the second housing (100-2) can flow along one side of the distribution plate (400-2) inside the second housing (100-2) and flow to the second housing connection opening (11a-2).

[0255] Water flowing through the second housing connection opening (11a-2) can be discharged through the intermediate guide (24).

[0256] Water discharged through the intermediate guide (24) can be guided to the first housing (100-1) through the second intermediate channel (P21) formed by the intermediate guide (24). For example, the second intermediate channel (P 21 Water flowing through the ) can be introduced into the first housing connection opening (12a-1) formed in the second inlet / outlet part (12-1) of the first housing (100-1).

[0257] Water flowing into the first housing connection opening (12a-1) can flow through the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the first housing (100-1). Water flowing through the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the first housing (100-1) can pass through the first electrode module (210) and flow into the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1). For example, water flowing through the first flow hole (430a-1) inside the first housing (100-1) can pass through the first electrode module (210) via the first ion exchange layer (212) and flow into the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1).

[0258] Water flowing into the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1) can flow through the second flow hole (430b-1) inside the first housing (100-1) and flow into the first housing opening (11a-1).

[0259] Water flowing through the first housing opening (11a-1) can be discharged through the first inlet / outlet guide (23). The water discharged through the first inlet / outlet guide (23) is discharged through the second outlet path (P 22 It can flow through ).

[0260] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) by connecting the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) and blocking the second guide path (P2).

[0261] For example, referring to FIG. 7, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is to the lower side of the second electrode module (220), the water supply valve (62) and the first inlet / outlet valve (63) can connect the water supply path (P0) and the first guide path (P1) by allowing the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to flow into the first housing opening (11a-1). Additionally, the water supply valve (62) and / or the second inlet / outlet valve (64) can block the second guide path (P2) by blocking the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) from flowing into the second housing opening (12a-2).

[0262] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can divert the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the lower side of the second electrode module (220) by connecting the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) and blocking the first guide path (P1).

[0263] For example, referring to FIG. 8, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is the lower side of the first electrode module (210), the water supply valve (62) and the second inlet / outlet valve (64) can connect the water supply path (P0) and the second guide path (P2) by allowing the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to flow into the second housing opening (12a-2). Additionally, the water supply valve (62) and / or the first inlet / outlet valve (63) can block the first guide path (P1) by blocking the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) from flowing into the first housing opening (11a-1).

[0264] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of an electrode module according to one embodiment.

[0265] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a deionization operation method by an electrode module according to one embodiment.

[0266] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a regenerative operation method by an electrode module according to one embodiment.

[0267] The deionization, regeneration, and scale control operation methods described below may be applied to a pair of adjacent electrodes of each of the plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200), but for convenience of explanation, they are described as examples of adjacent first electrodes (e.g., 211a, 211b) among the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211, see FIG. 5) of the first electrode module (210).

[0268] In the following description, among the plurality of first electrodes (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d; 211, see FIG. 5), a pair of first electrodes (211a, 211b) adjacent to each other are described as the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b), respectively.

[0269] Referring to FIG. 9, one side of the upper electrode (211a) and one side of the lower electrode (211b) can act as a positive electrode, and the other side can act as a negative electrode. Accordingly, an electric field can be formed between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b).

[0270] An ion exchange layer (212) may be disposed between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b).

[0271] The ion exchange layer (212) may include an anion exchange membrane (212a), a cation exchange membrane (212b), and a spacer (212c).

[0272] The anion exchange membrane (212a) may be configured to allow only anions to pass through, and the cation exchange membrane (212b) may be configured to allow only cations to pass through. The anion exchange membrane (212a) may be attached to the upper electrode (211a), and the cation exchange membrane (212b) may be attached to the lower electrode (211b). The anion exchange membrane (212a) and the cation exchange membrane (212b) may be omitted.

[0273] A spacer (212c) may be placed between the anion exchange membrane (212a) and the cation exchange membrane (212b). The spacer (212c) may be configured to allow water to pass through its interior. For example, the spacer (212c) may include a mesh material.

[0274] In the following description, the anion exchange membrane (212a), cation exchange membrane (212b), and spacer (212c) are omitted from FIGS. 10 and FIGS. 11 for convenience of explanation.

[0275] Referring to FIG. 10, by supplying power to the first electrode module (210), one side of the upper electrode (211a) can act as a positive electrode, and one side of the lower electrode (211b) can act as a negative electrode.

[0276] At this time, when water moves between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) that are spaced apart from each other, the ionic substances contained in the water can move to the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) by electrical attraction. Accordingly, ionic substances with a negative charge can be adsorbed on the upper electrode (211a), and ionic substances with a positive charge can be adsorbed on the lower electrode (211b). Therefore, the water passing between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) may not contain ionic substances or may contain a very small amount of ionic substances.

[0277] Deionization operation can be defined as removing ionic substances contained in water or purifying the water into a certain level of ionic substance concentration by adsorbing ionic substances onto the electrodes in the water before it passes through the electrode module in the manner described above.

[0278] As deionization operation is continuously performed, if ionic material accumulates on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b), it may not form properly in the electric field between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b), which may lower the efficiency of the deionization operation. The regeneration operation to maintain the efficiency of the deionization operation is described below.

[0279] Referring to FIG. 11, power having opposite polarity to the power supplied in the deionization operation can be supplied to the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b). For example, by supplying power having opposite polarity to the power supplied in the deionization operation to the first electrode module (210), one side of the upper electrode (211a) can act as a negative electrode, and one side of the lower electrode (211b) can act as a positive electrode. Accordingly, ionic substances adsorbed on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) can be detached from the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b).

[0280] Additionally, when power is not supplied to the first electrode module (210), an electric field is not formed between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b), so the ionic substances adsorbed on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) can be detached from the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b).

[0281] Ionic substances adsorbed on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) can be drained to the outside along with water passing between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) by being desorbed from the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b). Through this, the efficiency of the deionization operation can be maintained.

[0282] Desorbing ionic substances adsorbed on the electrodes in the manner described above to maintain the efficiency of deionization operation can be referred to as regeneration operation.

[0283] When deionization and regeneration operations are repeated, scale accumulates on the electrodes, which may reduce the efficiency of the water treatment process. For example, when deionization and regeneration operations are repeated, scale accumulates on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b), and the electric field between the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) is not properly formed, which may reduce the efficiency of the deionization operation.

[0284] Therefore, it is necessary to perform a scale removal operation to remove the scale accumulated on the electrode.

[0285] The scale removal operation may include passing acidic water between the electrodes to remove scale accumulated on the electrodes. For example, the scale removal operation may include passing acidic water through the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) to remove scale accumulated on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b).

[0286] Scale accumulated on the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) during the scale removal operation can be removed by acidic water passing through the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b) and drained to the outside together with the acidic water passing through the upper electrode (211a) and the lower electrode (211b). Through this, the efficiency of the deionization operation can be maintained.

[0287] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of the direction of water supplied through a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0288] FIG. 13 illustrates an example different from FIG. 12 of the direction of water supplied through the water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0289] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the water treatment device (1) may include a first drainage channel (P13).

[0290] 1st drainage path (P 13) may include a flow path through which water discharged from the second electrode module (220) flows through the second inlet / outlet guide (25) and the second drainage guide (29b).

[0291] The water treatment device (1) has a second drainage path (P 23 It may include ).

[0292] 2nd drainage path (P 23 ) may include a flow path through which water discharged from the first electrode module (210) flows through the first inlet / outlet guide (23) and the first drainage guide (29a).

[0293] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can allow water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to bypass the storage room (70) and be supplied to a plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200).

[0294] For example, the descale valve (61) can block water supplied through the water supply path (P0) from flowing into the storage room (70), thereby allowing external water (e.g., water supplied from the water source (50)) to be supplied to a plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200) without passing through the storage room (70).

[0295] In one embodiment, at least one valve (60) can be configured to allow water supplied through a water supply path (P0) to be supplied to a plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200) via a storage room (70).

[0296] Water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can be used for scale removal operation by passing through the storage room (70). For example, when water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) passes through the storage room (70), the scale remover stored in the storage room (70) dissolves in the water and turns into acidic water, and as a result, as the acidic water passes through the plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200), the scale accumulated on each electrode of the plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200) can be removed.

[0297] The control unit (80) can switch the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) or the lower side of the second electrode module (220) when the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) passes through the storage room (70).

[0298] For example, referring to FIG. 12, the control unit (80) can ensure that when water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is converted into acidic water via the storage room (70), the converted acidic water is supplied to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) through the first guide path (P1). In this case, the control unit (80) can ensure that the water passing through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) is supplied to the first drainage path (P 13 The second drain valve (66) can be controlled to allow flow through.

[0299] Referring to FIG. 13 as another example, the control unit (80) can ensure that when water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is converted into acidic water via the storage room (70), the converted acidic water is supplied to the lower side of the second electrode module (220) through the second guide path (P2). In this case, the control unit (80) ensures that the water passing through the second electrode module (220) and the first electrode module (210) is supplied to the second drainage path (P 23 The first drain valve (67) can be controlled to allow flow through.

[0300] The acidity concentration of the acidic water may vary depending on the direction of the acidic water supplied through the water supply channel (P0). For example, the acidic water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is supplied to the first electrode module (210) through the first guide channel (P1) to remove scale from the first electrode module (210), and then the acidic water discharged from the first electrode module (210) is the first intermediate channel (P 11 When flowing through ), the acidity concentration of the acidic water flowing through the first guide channel (P1) is the first intermediate channel (P 11It can be higher than the acidity concentration of acidic water flowing through it.

[0301] According to the present disclosure, the efficiency of scale removal operation can be increased by switching the direction of acidic water supplied through the water supply path (P0).

[0302] For example, if the amount of scale to be removed between the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) is relatively higher in the first electrode module (210) compared to the second electrode module (220), the direction of the acidic water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is diverted to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) to remove a relatively larger amount of scale compared to the second electrode module (220), thereby increasing the efficiency of the scale removal operation.

[0303] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a control method for a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0304] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a control method for a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0305] FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining an example of switching the direction of water supplied through a water supply path of a water treatment device according to one embodiment or supplying power to each of a plurality of electrode modules.

[0306] The concentration of ionic substances contained in the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can be reduced as it passes through multiple electrode modules. Additionally, among the multiple electrode modules, the amount of ionic substances processed by the electrode module into which the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) first flows may be relatively large. Processing ionic substances may include adsorbing the ionic substances contained in the water through deionization operation.

[0307] For example, if water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows into the first electrode module (210) first, the amount of ionic material processed by the first electrode module (210) may be relatively larger than the amount of ionic material processed by the second electrode module (220).

[0308] Therefore, if water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) continuously flows first into a certain electrode module, the durability of the electrode module into which the water flows first may be reduced.

[0309] According to the present disclosure, the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) can be switched according to predetermined conditions to prevent the durability of the electrode module from decreasing.

[0310] Below, a method for switching the direction of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) according to predetermined conditions is described.

[0311] In the following description, switching the direction of water according to a predetermined condition is described as switching from the upper side of the first electrode module (210) to the lower side of the second electrode module (220) according to a predetermined condition; however, switching the direction of water according to a predetermined condition according to the present disclosure also includes switching from the lower side of the second electrode module (220) to the upper side of the first electrode module (210) according to a predetermined condition.

[0312] Referring to FIG. 14, the water treatment device (1) can supply water through the water supply path (P0) (1000). For example, the water treatment device (1) can control the pump (51) so that water is supplied to the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) through the water supply path (P0).

[0313] In one embodiment, the control unit (80) can control at least one valve (60) based on the concentration of water. The concentration of water may include the concentration of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) and / or the concentration of water that has passed through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0314] For example, referring to FIG. 16, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) by controlling at least one valve (60) so that the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows into the lower side of the second electrode module (220) based on the fact that the concentration of water is above a reference concentration (examples of 1100 and 1200 in FIG. 14).

[0315] In another example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can control at least one valve (60) to switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) so that the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows to the lower side of the second electrode module (220) based on the fact that the concentration of water measured in advance over a predetermined period is greater than or equal to the reference concentration.

[0316] The concentration of water measured in advance over a predetermined period may include the concentration of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) or the concentration of water that has passed through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220), which was measured during the deionization operation prior to performing the deionization operation.

[0317] In one embodiment, the control unit (80) can supply a first power source (V1) and a second power source (V2) to each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is the upper side of the first electrode module (210).

[0318] The size of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) ) is the size of the second power supply (V2) supplied to the second electrode module (210) It can be larger than )

[0319] That is, the size of the power supplied to the electrode module (e.g., first electrode module (210)) into which water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) first flows (e.g., the size of the first power supply (V1) ) is the size of the power supply (V2) supplied to the electrode module (second electrode module (210)) through which water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) first flows after passing through the electrode module (e.g., first electrode module (210)) (e.g., size of the second power supply ( It can be larger than ))

[0320] In deionization operation, the control unit (80) can adjust the power supplied to each of the electrode modules (210, 220; 200) such that the magnitude of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) (e.g., +1.4V) is greater than the magnitude of the second power supply (V2) supplied to the second electrode module (220) (e.g., +1.2V), based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is the upper side of the first electrode module (210).

[0321] In a regeneration operation and / or scale removal operation, the control unit (80) can adjust the power supplied to each of the electrode modules (210, 220; 200) such that the negative magnitude (e.g., -1.4V) of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) is greater than the negative magnitude (e.g., -1.2V) of the second power supply (V2) supplied to the second electrode module (220), based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is the upper side of the first electrode module (210).

[0322] The duty ratio of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) may be greater than the duty ratio of the second power supply (V2) supplied to the second electrode module (210).

[0323] The duty cycle of the power supply may include the ratio of the time during which power is supplied to each of the plurality of electrode modules (210, 220; 200) during a predetermined time.

[0324] For example, if the predetermined time is the deionization operation time, the power supply unit (190) can continuously supply the first power supply (V1) to the first electrode module (210) during the deionization operation time and supply the second power supply (V2) to the second electrode module (220) for half of the deionization operation time.

[0325] For example, if the predetermined time is the regeneration operation time, the power supply unit (190) can continuously supply the first power (V1) to the first electrode module (210) during the regeneration operation time and supply the second power (V2) to the second electrode module (220) for half of the regeneration operation time.

[0326] For example, if a predetermined time is the scale removal operation time, the power supply unit (190) can continuously supply the first power (V1) to the first electrode module (210) during the scale removal operation time and supply the second power (V2) to the second electrode module (220) for half of the scale removal operation time.

[0327] In one embodiment, the control unit (80) can supply a third power source (V3) and a fourth power source (V4) to each of the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220) based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is the upper side of the second electrode module (220).

[0328] The size of the third power supply (V3) supplied to the first electrode module (210) ) is the size of the fourth power supply (V4) supplied to the second electrode module (210) It can be smaller than ).

[0329] In deionization operation, the control unit (80) can adjust the power supplied to each of the electrode modules (210, 220; 200) such that the magnitude of the fourth power supply (V4) supplied to the second electrode module (220) (e.g., +1.4V) is greater than the magnitude of the third power supply (V3) supplied to the first electrode module (210) (e.g., +1.2V), based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is the lower side of the second electrode module (210).

[0330] In a regeneration operation and / or scale removal operation, the control unit (80) can adjust the power supplied to each of the electrode modules (210, 220; 200) such that the negative magnitude (e.g., -1.4V) of the fourth power supply (V4) supplied to the second electrode module (220) is greater than the negative magnitude (e.g., -1.2V) of the third power supply (V3) supplied to the first electrode module (210), based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path (P0) is the lower side of the second electrode module (220).

[0331] The duty ratio of the fourth power supply (V4) supplied to the second electrode module (220) may be greater than the duty ratio of the third power supply (V3) supplied to the first electrode module (210).

[0332] In various embodiments, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can control the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210).

[0333] In one embodiment, when the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is the upper side of the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) determines the magnitude of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) based on the fact that the concentration of the water is greater than or equal to a reference concentration. It can increase ).

[0334] For example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) determines the size of the first power source (V1) based on the fact that the water concentration is above the reference concentration. ) can be increased by a predetermined amount (e.g., +0.2V).

[0335] In one embodiment, when the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can increase the duty cycle of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) based on the fact that the concentration of the water is greater than or equal to a reference concentration.

[0336] For example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can increase the time of supplying the first power source (V1) to the first electrode module (210) during deionization operation based on the fact that the concentration of water is above the reference concentration.

[0337] Referring to FIG. 15, the operation (2000) of supplying water through the water supply channel (P0) of FIG. 15 may be the same operation as the operation (1000 of FIG. 14) of supplying water through the water supply channel (P0) of FIG. 14.

[0338] In one embodiment, the control unit (80) can control at least one valve (60) based on the water flow rate. The water flow rate may include the water flow rate supplied through the water supply path (P0) and / or the water flow rate that has passed through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220).

[0339] For example, referring to FIG. 16, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) by controlling at least one valve (60) so that the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows into the lower side of the second electrode module (220) based on the fact that the water flow rate is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate (examples of 2100 and 2200 in FIG. 15).

[0340] In another example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is in the lower side of the second electrode module (220), the control unit (80) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) by controlling at least one valve (60) so that the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows into the lower side of the second electrode module (220) based on the fact that the water flow rate measured in advance over a predetermined period is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate.

[0341] The flow rate of water measured in advance over a predetermined period may include the flow rate of water supplied through the water supply path (P0) or the flow rate of water passed through the first electrode module (210) and the second electrode module (220), which is measured during a water treatment process prior to performing a water treatment process (e.g., deionization operation, regeneration operation, and scale removal operation).

[0342] In another example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is in the lower side of the second electrode module (220), the control unit (80) can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) by controlling at least one valve (60) so that the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) flows into the lower side of the second electrode module (220), based on the fact that the cumulative flow rate of water measured during a predetermined number of times a water treatment process (e.g., deionization operation, regeneration operation, and scale removal operation) is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate.

[0343] In one embodiment, when the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) determines the magnitude of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) based on the fact that the water flow rate is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate. It can increase ).

[0344] For example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) determines the size of the first power source (V1) based on the fact that the water flow rate is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate. ) can be increased by a predetermined amount (e.g., +0.2V).

[0345] In one embodiment, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can increase the duty cycle of the first power supply (V1) supplied to the first electrode module (210) based on the fact that the water flow rate is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate.

[0346] For example, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel (P0) is above the first electrode module (210), the control unit (80) can increase the time of supplying the first power source (V1) to the first electrode module (210) during deionization operation based on the fact that the water flow rate is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate.

[0347] A water treatment device according to the present disclosure may include: a first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply channel; and a valve for switching the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to a second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module and to a first side of the second electrode module.

[0348] It further includes a housing that accommodates a first electrode module and a second electrode module; and the housing may include a first opening provided on the second side of the first electrode module and a second opening provided on the first side of the second electrode module.

[0349] Additionally, the water treatment device further includes a first guide channel configured to guide water supplied through a water supply channel to a first opening; and a second guide channel configured to guide water supplied through a water supply channel to a second opening; and the valve can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to the second side of the first electrode module by connecting the water supply channel and the first guide channel and blocking the second guide channel, and switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module by connecting the water supply channel and the second guide channel and blocking the first guide channel.

[0350] Additionally, the water treatment device may further include at least one electrode terminal disposed inside the housing and positioned between the first electrode module and the second electrode module.

[0351] Additionally, the water treatment device further comprises a first housing for accommodating a first electrode module; and a second housing for accommodating a second electrode module; wherein the first housing includes a first housing opening provided on the second side of the first electrode module and a first housing connecting opening provided on the first side of the first electrode module, and the second housing may include a second housing opening provided on the first side of the second electrode module and a second housing connecting opening provided on the second side of the second electrode module.

[0352] Additionally, the water treatment device further comprises: a first guide channel configured to guide water supplied through a water supply channel to a first housing opening; a second guide channel configured to guide water supplied through a water supply channel to a second housing opening; and an intermediate channel connecting the first housing connecting opening and the second housing connecting opening; and the valve can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel from the water supply channel to the second side of the first electrode module by connecting the water supply channel and the first guide channel and blocking the second guide channel, and switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel from the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module by connecting the water supply channel and the second guide channel and blocking the first guide channel.

[0353] Additionally, the water treatment device further includes a storage room connected to a water supply path and storing a scale remover; and the valve can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path so that water supplied through the water supply path is supplied to the first electrode module and the second electrode module via the storage room, or is supplied to the first electrode module and the second electrode module by bypassing the storage room.

[0354] Additionally, the water treatment device may further include a control unit that controls a valve based on at least one of the concentration or flow rate of water supplied through a water supply channel.

[0355] When the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can control the valve to switch the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module based on the concentration of the water supplied through the water supply channel being greater than or equal to a reference concentration.

[0356] When the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can control the valve to switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module based on the fact that the flow rate of water supplied through the water supply channel is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate.

[0357] Additionally, the water treatment device may further include a control unit that controls a valve based on at least one of the concentration or flow rate of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module.

[0358] When the direction of water supplied through the water supply path is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can control the valve to switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path to the first side of the second electrode module based on the concentration of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module being greater than or equal to a reference concentration, and control the valve to switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path to the first side of the second electrode module based on the flow rate of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module being greater than or equal to a reference flow rate.

[0359] Additionally, the water treatment device further includes a control unit that supplies a first power source and a second power source to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, based on the fact that the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is from the water supply channel to the second side of the first electrode module, and supplies a third power source and a fourth power source to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, based on the fact that the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is from the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module, and the magnitude of the first power source may be greater than the magnitude of the second power source and smaller than the magnitude of the fourth power source.

[0360] Additionally, the water treatment device further includes a control unit that supplies a first power source and a second power source to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, based on the fact that the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is from the water supply channel to the second side of the first electrode module, and supplies a third power source and a fourth power source to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, based on the fact that the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is from the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module, and the duty ratio of the first power source may be greater than the duty ratio of the second power source, and the duty ratio of the third power source may be smaller than the duty ratio of the fourth power source.

[0361] A water treatment device according to the present disclosure comprises: a first electrode module including a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module including a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply channel; a power supply unit that supplies a first power source and a second power source to each of the first electrode module and the second electrode module; a valve; and a control unit; wherein, when the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module, the control unit can switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module or adjust the first power source supplied to the first electrode module.

[0362] When the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can increase at least one of the magnitude or duty ratio of the first power supplied to the first electrode module based on the fact that the concentration of the water supplied through the water supply channel is greater than or equal to a reference concentration.

[0363] When the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can increase at least one of the magnitude or duty ratio of the first power supplied to the first electrode module based on the fact that the flow rate of the water supplied through the water supply channel is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate.

[0364] When the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can increase at least one of the magnitude or duty ratio of the first power supplied to the first electrode module based on the fact that the concentration of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module is greater than or equal to a reference concentration.

[0365] When the direction of water supplied through the water supply channel is the second side of the first electrode module, the control unit can increase at least one of the magnitude or duty ratio of the first power supplied to the first electrode module based on the fact that the flow rate of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate.

[0366] A control method for a water treatment device according to the present disclosure may include: a first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to a first side of the first electrode module; a water supply path; and a valve that switches the direction of water supplied through the water supply path to a second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module or to the first side of the second electrode module, wherein the control method may include controlling the valve based on at least one of the concentration or flow rate of water supplied through the water supply path.

[0367] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operation of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0368] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store instructions that can be decoded by a computer. Examples include ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0369] Additionally, computer-readable recording media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, 'non-transitory storage media' simply means that it is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily. For example, 'non-transitory storage media' may include a buffer in which data is stored temporarily.

[0370] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable recording medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0371] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively.

Claims

1. A first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; A second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to the first side of the first electrode module; Water supply path; and A water treatment device comprising: a valve that switches the direction of water supplied through the above-mentioned water supply channel to the second side opposite to the first side of the first electrode module from the above-mentioned water supply channel and to the first side of the second electrode module from the above-mentioned water supply channel.

2. In Paragraph 1, A housing that accommodates the first electrode module and the second electrode module; further comprising The above housing is a water treatment device comprising a first opening provided on the second side of the first electrode module and a second opening provided on the first side of the second electrode module.

3. In Paragraph 2, A first guide channel configured to guide water supplied through the above water supply channel to the first opening; and It further includes a second guide channel configured to guide water supplied through the above water supply channel to the second opening; The above valve is, By connecting the above water supply path and the above first guide path and blocking the above second guide path, the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply path is switched to the above second side of the above first electrode module, and A water treatment device that connects the above-mentioned water supply path and the above-mentioned second guide path and blocks the above-mentioned first guide path to divert the direction of water supplied through the above-mentioned water supply path to the above-mentioned first side of the above-mentioned second electrode module.

4. In Paragraph 2, A water treatment device further comprising at least one electrode terminal disposed inside the housing and disposed between the first electrode module and the second electrode module.

5. In Paragraph 1, A first housing for accommodating the first electrode module; and It further includes a second housing that accommodates the second electrode module; The first housing includes a first housing opening provided on the second side of the first electrode module and a first housing connecting opening provided on the first side of the first electrode module. The water treatment device comprising the second housing, which includes a second housing opening provided on the first side of the second electrode module and a second housing connection opening provided on the second side of the second electrode module.

6. In Paragraph 5, A first guide channel configured to guide water supplied through the above water supply channel to the first housing opening; A second guide channel configured to guide water supplied through the above water supply channel to the second housing opening; and It further includes an intermediate channel connecting the first housing connection opening and the second housing connection opening; The above valve is, By connecting the above water supply channel and the above first guide channel and blocking the above second guide channel, the direction of water supplied through the above water supply channel is switched from the above water supply channel to the second side of the above first electrode module, and A water treatment device that connects the above-mentioned water supply path and the above-mentioned second guide path and blocks the above-mentioned first guide path, thereby diverting the direction of water supplied through the above-mentioned water supply path from the above-mentioned water supply path to the above-mentioned first side of the above-mentioned second electrode module.

7. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a storage room connected to the above-mentioned water supply path and storing a scale remover; and The above valve is, A water treatment device that redirects the direction of water supplied through the water supply path so that the water supplied through the water supply path is supplied to the first electrode module and the second electrode module via the storage room, or supplied to the first electrode module and the second electrode module by bypassing the storage room.

8. In Paragraph 1, A water treatment device further comprising: a control unit that controls the valve based on at least one of the concentration or flow rate of water supplied through the above-mentioned water supply channel.

9. In Paragraph 8, In a state where the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply channel is the second side of the above first electrode module, the control unit, A water treatment device that controls the valve to switch the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module based on the concentration of the water supplied through the water supply channel being higher than the reference concentration.

10. In Paragraph 8, In a state where the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply channel is the second side of the above first electrode module, the control unit, A water treatment device that controls the valve to switch the direction of the water supplied through the water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module based on the fact that the flow rate of the water supplied through the water supply channel is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate.

11. In Paragraph 1, A water treatment device further comprising: a control unit that controls the valve based on at least one of the concentration or flow rate of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module.

12. In Paragraph 11, In a state where the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply channel is the second side of the above first electrode module, the control unit, Based on the fact that the concentration of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module is greater than or equal to a reference concentration, the valve is controlled to switch the direction of the water supplied through the water supply path to the first side of the second electrode module, and A water treatment device that controls the valve to switch the direction of water supplied through the water supply path to the first side of the second electrode module based on the fact that the flow rate of water passing through the first electrode module and the second electrode module is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate.

13. In Paragraph 1, Based on the fact that the direction of water supplied through the above water supply channel is from the above water supply channel to the second side of the first electrode module, a first power source and a second power source are supplied to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, and A control unit that supplies a third power source and a fourth power source to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply channel is from the above water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module; further comprising The size of the first power source is larger than the size of the second power source, and A water treatment device in which the size of the third power source is smaller than the size of the fourth power source.

14. In Paragraph 1, Based on the fact that the direction of water supplied through the above water supply channel is from the above water supply channel to the second side of the first electrode module, a first power source and a second power source are supplied to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, and A control unit that supplies a third power source and a fourth power source to the first electrode module and the second electrode module, respectively, based on the fact that the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply channel is from the above water supply channel to the first side of the second electrode module; further comprising The duty ratio of the first power source is greater than the duty ratio of the second power source, and A water treatment device in which the duty ratio of the third power source is smaller than the duty ratio of the fourth power source.

15. A first electrode module comprising a plurality of first electrodes; A second electrode module comprising a plurality of second electrodes and disposed adjacent to the first side of the first electrode module; Water supply path; A power supply unit that supplies a first power source and a second power source to each of the first electrode module and the second electrode module; valve; and Includes a control unit; and In a state where the direction of the water supplied through the above water supply channel is the second side, which is opposite to the first side of the first electrode module, the control unit, A water treatment device that switches the direction of water supplied through the above water supply channel to the first side of the above second electrode module or regulates the first power supplied to the above first electrode module.

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