Water treatment apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a water treatment apparatus using capacitive desalination. The water treatment apparatus comprises: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a plurality of deionization units disposed in the housing; a plurality of dividers disposed between adjacent deionization units among the plurality of deionization units to partition the adjacent deionization units; and connection terminals disposed in the dividers and electrically connected to the adjacent deionization units to supply power.

Description

Water treatment device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water treatment device utilizing capacitive desalination technology.

[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] Capacitive deionization (CDI) technology is an example of deionization technology that removes ions by electrochemically adsorbing them onto electrodes with a high specific surface area.

[0004] The capacitive desalination device comprises a single channel, electrodes with a high specific surface area on both sides of the channel to adsorb ions of the fluid flowing inside the channel, and an ion exchange membrane for the selective movement of specific ions. The capacitive desalination device is configured to move ions by an electric field generated perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow inside the channel.

[0005] A capacitive desalination device may be included in a dishwasher or washing machine, etc. The capacitive desalination device may be installed in the water supply line to improve washing efficiency and prevent scale formation by softening the wash water to be used in the dishwasher or washing machine through a desalination process that removes ions in advance.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a water treatment device with improved ion removal efficiency.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a water treatment device with reduced power consumption.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a water treatment device capable of stably supplying power to a plurality of deionization units.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0010] To solve the above problem, a water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein, a plurality of deionization units disposed within the housing, a plurality of dividers disposed between adjacent deionization units among the plurality of deionization units to partition the adjacent deionization units, and a connection terminal disposed on the divider and electrically connected to the adjacent deionization unit to supply power.

[0011] A water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cylindrical housing, a plurality of deionization units stacked within the housing, and a plurality of through holes formed in the cylindrical side wall of the housing to supply power to the deionization units.

[0012] According to the water treatment device of the present disclosure, power can be stably supplied to a plurality of deionization units. Accordingly, the water treatment device can improve ion removal efficiency through a reduction in driving voltage and can achieve the effect of reducing power consumption.

[0013] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a disassembled view of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the deionization unit, divider, and guide plate in Figure 2.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a divider and a connection terminal according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA' of Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the state in which the connection terminal in Figure 5 is disassembled.

[0020] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line BB' of Figure 1.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of a deionization unit according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method of purifying water by a deionization unit according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a method of regenerating a deionization unit according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of section "C" of Figure 8.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a divider and a connection terminal of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a divider and internal wiring of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a divider according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a divider according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating a divider according to one embodiment.

[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] 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).

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Water treatment devices can purify contaminated water through various methods, such as biological treatment, chemical treatment, and physical treatment methods.

[0043] A water treatment device according to one embodiment can purify contaminated water through a capacitive deionization (CDI) method.

[0044] A capacitive desalination method refers to a method for removing ions from contaminated water 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 contaminated water may include removing ionic substances from contaminated water.

[0045] A water treatment device may include various components such as multiple pipes through which water flows, multiple valves that control the flow of water, and a capacitive desalination module that purifies water through a capacitive desalination method.

[0046] A capacitive desalination module may include a housing, electrodes provided within the housing, and an ion exchange membrane. Depending on the voltage supplied to the electrodes, ions contained in the water introduced into the housing may be adsorbed by the electrodes or desorbed from the electrodes.

[0047] According to various embodiments, the water treatment device may further include various components such as a pretreatment filter for pretreating raw water and supplying it to a capacitive desalination module, and / or a posttreatment filter for filtering the water purified by the capacitive desalination module once again.

[0048] In addition, in the present disclosure, the term "porous electrode" refers to a porous material layer formed on a current collector of an electrode for a water treatment device, and the porous electrode may be replaced with terms such as "active material layer," "electrode active material layer," "porous material layer," "porous active material layer," and "porous electrode active material layer."

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water treatment device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a disassembled view illustrating a water treatment device according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the deionization unit, divider, and guide plate in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view showing the divider and connection terminal according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line AA' of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a view showing the connection terminal in a disassembled state in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line BB' of FIG. 1.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the water treatment device (10) may include a housing (100). The housing (100) may form the exterior of the water treatment device (10). The housing (100) may form a receiving space for receiving water to be treated by the water treatment device (10).

[0052] The housing (100) may include a housing body (110) and a cover (120). The housing body (110) may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may have an opening (111) formed at the top. The cover (120) may cover the opening (111) of the housing body (110) to seal the internal space of the housing (110).

[0053] The housing body (110) can form the side and bottom surfaces of the housing (100), and the cover (120) can form the top surface of the housing (100).

[0054] The housing (100) may include an inlet (101, see FIG. 8) which is an inlet for water to flow into an internal receiving space, and an outlet (102) which is an outlet for the treated water to be discharged.

[0055] The inlet (101) may be positioned in the housing body (110), and the outlet (102) may be positioned in the cover (120). The inlet (101) may be located at the center of the lower surface of the housing body (110), and the outlet (102) may be positioned at the center of the cover (120). The positioning locations of the inlet (101) and the outlet (102) are not limited thereto and may be formed at other locations within the housing (100). For example, the inlet (101) may be positioned in the cover (120), and the outlet (102) may be positioned in the housing body (110).

[0056] The housing (100) may include an internal space for accommodating a deionization unit (200) and a divider (300), and the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the internal space.

[0057] The internal space of the housing (100) can be formed in various shapes.

[0058] For example, the internal space of the housing (100) may be formed in a cylindrical shape. The deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) may each be formed in a disc shape. Accordingly, when the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) are stacked in the internal space of the housing (100), the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) may form a cylindrical shape corresponding to the internal space of the housing (100).

[0059] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the internal space of the housing (100) may be formed with a rectangular cross-section. In this case, the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) may be formed with a rectangular shape corresponding to the internal space of the housing (100).

[0060] The water treatment device (10) may include a clamp (600) for joining the housing body (110) and the cover (120). The clamp (600) may be attached to the outer perimeter of the housing body (110) and the cover (120) to join the housing body (110) and the cover (120).

[0061] The clamp (600) may be formed in a structure that wraps around the outer perimeter of the main body (110) and the cover (120) to press the main body (110) and the cover (120).

[0062] The clamp (600) may include a semicircular first clamp (610) and a second clamp (620). At both ends of the first clamp (610) and the second clamp (620), a connecting portion (611, 621) for connecting with an adjacent first clamp (610) or second clamp (620) may be provided, respectively.

[0063] The connecting portions (611, 621) can be positioned so that the first clamp (610) and the second clamp (620) face each other while positioned on the outer perimeter of the housing body (110) and the cover (120), and in this state, if a fastening member (not shown), such as a bolt, is fastened into the fastening hole (611a, 621a) formed in the connecting portions (611, 621) and tightened, it can apply pressure to the outer perimeter of the housing body (110) and the cover (120) and provide a fastening force.

[0064] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the housing body (110) and the cover (120) may be directly joined without using a clamp (600). For example, the housing body (110) and the cover (120) may be joined by heat-fusion without a separate fastening member.

[0065] The water treatment device (10) may include a guide plate (400). The guide plate (400) may be formed in a disc shape and may be placed in the lower inner part of the housing body (110) in which the inlet (101) is formed. Accordingly, the guide plate (400) may be placed adjacent to the inlet (101) and communicate with the inlet (101).

[0066] The guide plate (400) may include a guide groove (410). The guide groove (410) may be formed in a concave shape on one side of the guide plate (400) facing the lower surface of the housing body (110).

[0067] The guide grooves (410) may be formed to extend radially outward from the center of the guide plate (400) facing the inlet (101). For example, as shown in the drawing, four guide grooves (410) may be formed in a cross shape by extending from the center of the guide plate (400). The number and width of such guide grooves (410) may be increased or decreased considering smooth flow and internal space.

[0068] The guide groove (410) can be arranged to communicate with the inlet (101), thereby forming a first inflow channel (103) that guides water flowing into the inlet (101) to the outside of the guide plate (400). Accordingly, water flowing into the inlet (101) can be moved along the first inflow channel (103) formed in the radially arranged guide groove (410) toward the inner surface (112) of the housing body (110), which is the outside of the guide plate (400).

[0069] The water treatment device (10) may include a deionization unit (200). The deionization unit (200) may be accommodated in the internal space of the housing (100).

[0070] The water treatment device (10) may include a divider (300). The divider (300) may be accommodated in the internal space of the housing (100) together with the deionization unit (200).

[0071] The deionization unit (200) may be composed of multiple units and accommodated in the internal space of the housing (100). In the drawing, the deionization unit (200) is composed of eight units, but according to the concept of the present disclosure, this number may be increased or decreased depending on the volume of water to be treated.

[0072] The divider (300) can be placed between adjacent deionization units (200).

[0073] The divider (300) is positioned between adjacent deionization units (200) to spatially separate and partition the adjacent deionization units (200).

[0074] The divider (300) can be formed of an electrical insulator. For example, the divider (300) can be formed of a plastic material. Thus, the divider (300) can electrically insulate adjacent deionized units (200).

[0075] The deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) can be accommodated in the internal space of the housing (100) in a state where they are repeatedly stacked in the vertical direction. For example, the deionization unit (200) may be placed at the top of the housing (100) and the divider (300) may be placed below it, and the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) may be filled inside the housing (100) in a pattern where the arrangement of the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) alternates in this manner. The deionization unit (200) may be placed at the bottom of the housing (100).

[0076] The connection terminal (750) can be positioned to penetrate the housing (100), and in this positioned to penetrate the housing (100), it can be connected to the connection terminal (700) to connect an external power source (not shown) and the connection terminal (700).

[0077] The housing body (110) may include a through hole (130) through which a connection terminal (750) can pass.

[0078] Through holes (130) can be formed in the housing body (110) in the same number as the number of connection terminals (700) and connection terminals (750) so that a connection terminal (750) can be connected to a connection terminal (700) combined with a divider (300) disposed within the housing (100) by penetrating the housing body (110).

[0079] The outer diameter of the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) can be formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the internal space of the housing (100). Accordingly, the outer surface (201, 301) of the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) is spaced apart from the inner surface (112) of the housing body (110), and thus a space can be formed between the housing body (110) and the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300). This spaced-out space can form a second inlet channel (104) that distributes water introduced from the inlet (101) to each deionization unit (200).

[0080] The second inlet channel (104), together with the first inlet channel (103), forms an inlet channel (103, 104) extending from the inlet (101) to the outer surface of the deionization unit (200) stacked within the housing body (110).

[0081] The deionization unit (200) may have a hollow (202) formed in its central region, and likewise, the divider (300) may also have a hollow (302) formed in its central region.

[0082] Accordingly, when the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) are stacked within the housing body (110), a discharge channel (105) can be formed by a hollow (202, 302) in the central region of the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300).

[0083] The discharge channel (105) can be extended in the vertical direction and connected to the outlet (102) of the cover (120). Accordingly, water introduced into the deionization unit (200) through the inflow channels (103, 104) can be collected in the discharge channel (105) after passing through the deionization unit (200) and discharged through the outlet (102).

[0084] With the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) stacked inside the housing body (110), the opening (111) of the housing body (110) is covered with a cover (120) to combine the housing body (110) and the cover (120), thereby sealing the internal space of the housing (100).

[0085] The water treatment device (10) may include a sealing member (500) disposed between the housing body (110) and the cover (120) to seal the internal space of the housing (100).

[0086] When a sealing member (500) is placed between the housing body (110) and the cover (120) and the housing body (110) is joined, the sealing member (500) is compressed between the housing body (110) and the cover (120) and can generate a sealing force.

[0087] The deionization unit (200) can be operated by receiving power from outside the water treatment device (10).

[0088] The water treatment device (10) may include a connection terminal (700) and a connection terminal (750) for power supply. The connection terminal (700) may be provided in a divider (300). As described above, the divider (300) is positioned between two adjacent deionization units (300), and the connection terminal (700) may be positioned in the divider (300) so as to be electrically connected to the deionization units (200) positioned on both sides.

[0089] The divider (300) may include a receiving groove (310) for receiving a connection terminal (700). The receiving groove (300) may be formed to correspond to the shape and size of the connection terminal (700) for receiving the connection terminal (700). The connection terminal (700) may be fixed in a coupled state within the receiving groove (310).

[0090] The connection terminal (700) can be inserted into the receiving groove (310) or can be coupled to the divider (300) by insert injection, which is inserted during the injection molding of the divider (300) and injected together with the divider (300).

[0091] A connection terminal (750) may be provided to electrically connect the connection terminal (700) and the outside of the housing (100). The connection terminal (750) may be connected to the connection terminal (700).

[0092] The connection terminal (700) can be coupled to one end of the connection terminal (750). The connection terminal (700) may include a coupling groove (710) for coupling with the connection terminal (700).

[0093] The coupling groove (710) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the part of the inserted connecting terminal (750) so that the connecting terminal (750) can be inserted and contact can be maintained while the connecting terminal (750) is inserted.

[0094] The divider (300) may include an extension (320). The extension (320) may be provided in a structure that surrounds the connection terminal (750). The extension (320) may be formed to extend radially from the outer surface of the divider (300) so as to surround the connection terminal (750).

[0095] Such an extension part (320) can support the space between the divider (300) and the housing body (110) so that the outer surface (201, 301) of the deionization unit (200) and the divider (300) and the inner surface (112) of the housing body (110) are spaced apart to secure a space for the second inflow path (104) to be created, and can also induce alignment of the position of the divider (300) so that the connection terminal (750) passing through the through hole (130) can be coupled to the connection terminal (700).

[0096] The connection terminal (750) may include a first part (751) and a second part (752). The first part (751) is a part for connection with the connection terminal (700), and the second part (752) may be a part that passes through the through hole (130) while being connected to an external power source.

[0097] The first part (751) and the second part (752) may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may be formed to have different diameters. For example, the first part (751) may be formed smaller than the diameter of the through hole (130) so that it can be inserted into the housing (100) by passing through the through hole (130) from the outside of the housing (100). Additionally, the first part (751) may be formed smaller than the connection terminal (700) so that it can be inserted into the coupling groove (701) of the connection terminal (700). For example, the diameter of the first part (751) may be formed smaller than the thickness of the connection terminal (700).

[0098] The second part (752) can be formed to have a larger diameter than the first part (751) so that it is easy to connect with an external power source, as there is no size limitation for connection with the connection terminal (700) like the first part (751).

[0099] The water treatment device (10) may include a sealing member (510) for sealing the through hole (130) while the connection terminal (750) is installed in the through hole (130).

[0100] The connection terminal (750) penetrates the sealing member (510) and can be connected to the connection terminal (700).

[0101] A portion of the sealing member (510) may be placed between the through hole (130) and the connection terminal (750), and the remaining portion may be placed between the inner wall of the housing body (110) and the divider (300). Accordingly, the sealing member (510) can block water inside the housing (100) from leaking out of the housing (100) through the through hole (130), and can also block water inside the housing (100) from flowing into the connection terminal (750). One end of the sealing member (510) is combined with the extension part (320) to block water from flowing into the connection terminal (750) within the extension part (320), thereby preventing the connection terminal (750) from corroding and causing a short circuit.

[0102] The through holes (130) may be arranged differently depending on the polarity of the power to be supplied. The through holes (130) may include a first through hole (131) and a second through hole (132). The first through holes (131) may be arranged in a line on the outer surface of the housing body (110). For example, they may be arranged in a line in the vertical direction relative to the drawing. The connection terminals (750) coupled to the first through holes (131) arranged in a line in the vertical direction in this manner may have power of the same polarity connected in parallel. As the first through holes (131) are arranged in a line, the distance between the connection terminals (750) connected in parallel becomes close, allowing for easy connection to a single connector (not shown) for power connection.

[0103] The second through hole (132) may be spaced apart from the first through hole (131). For example, the second through hole (132) may be spaced apart from the first through hole (131) by a predetermined distance in the radial direction of the housing body (110).

[0104] The second through hole (132) can be arranged in a line on the outer surface of the housing body (110), just like the first through hole (131). For example, it can be arranged in a line in the vertical direction relative to the drawing. The connection terminal (750) coupled to the second through hole (132) arranged in a line in the vertical direction in this way can have power of the same polarity connected in parallel.

[0105] The connecting terminal (750) coupled to the first through hole (131) and the second through hole (132) may have opposite polarities of the connected power source. For example, when a positive power source is applied to the connecting terminal (750) coupled to the first through hole (131), a negative power source may be applied to the connecting terminal (750) coupled to the second through hole (132). Conversely, when a negative power source is applied to the connecting terminal (750) coupled to the first through hole (131), a positive power source may be applied to the connecting terminal (750) coupled to the second through hole (132).

[0106] The number of through holes (130) may vary depending on the number of deionization units (200) placed inside the housing (100).

[0107] For example, when eight deionization units (200) are arranged inside the housing (100) as in the illustrated embodiment, four first through holes (131) may be provided in the housing (100) and three second through holes (132) may be provided.

[0108] When eight deionization units (200) are placed inside the housing (100), seven dividers (300) may be placed between adjacent deionization units (200) so that seven are placed inside the housing (100).

[0109] With a plurality of deionization units (200) and dividers (300) arranged inside the housing (100), a connection terminal (750) can be inserted into the first through hole (131) and the second through hole (132) from outside the housing (100). When the connection terminal (700) of the divider (300) arranged inside the housing (100) is combined with the connection terminal (750), the connection terminal (750) and the connection terminal (700) are electrically connected, allowing external power to be supplied to the plurality of deionization units (200) arranged inside the housing (100) through the connection terminal (750) and the connection terminal (700).

[0110] The water treatment device (10) may include an electrode terminal (760) for power supply.

[0111] The electrode terminal (760) may include a first electrode terminal (761) positioned at the upper part of the housing (100) based on the drawing, and a second electrode terminal (762) positioned at the lower part of the housing (100).

[0112] The first electrode terminal (761) can be positioned to penetrate the cover (120) placed on the upper part of the housing (100) and to be connected to the upper surface of the deionization unit (200) located at the top of the deionization unit (200) placed inside the housing (100). The first electrode terminal (761) can be fixed to the cover (120) through a terminal fastening member (770).

[0113] The first electrode terminal (761) may be connected in parallel with a power source of the same polarity as the connection terminal (750) coupled to the first through hole (131). The first electrode terminal (761) may be positioned adjacent to the first through hole (131) to facilitate power connection with the connection terminal (750) coupled to the first through hole (131).

[0114] The second electrode terminal (762) penetrates the lower part of the housing body (100) and can be positioned to be connected to the lower surface of the deionization unit (200) located at the lowest position among the deionization units (200) disposed inside the housing (100). The second electrode terminal (762) can be fixed to the lower part of the housing body (110) through a terminal fastening member (770).

[0115] The second electrode terminal (762) may be connected in parallel with a power source having the same polarity as the connection terminal (750) coupled to the second through hole (132). The second electrode terminal (762) may be positioned adjacent to the second through hole (132) to facilitate power connection with the connection terminal (750) coupled to the second through hole (132).

[0116] The guide plate (400) may include a terminal coupling portion (420) so that the second electrode terminal (762) can pass through. Accordingly, the second electrode terminal (762) can pass through the lower part of the housing (100) and the guide plate (400) while one end of the second electrode terminal (762) is connected to the lower surface of the deionization unit (200) located at the bottom of the deionization unit (200), and can apply power from outside the housing (100) to the deionization unit (200) located at the bottom.

[0117] A plurality of deionization units (200) and a divider (300) can be arranged within the housing (100) while the second electrode terminal (762) is coupled to penetrate the housing body (110) and the guide plate (400), and through this, the second electrode terminal (762) can be electrically connected to the lower surface of the deionization unit (200) located at the bottom of the deionization units (200).

[0118] The first electrode terminal (761) can be electrically connected to the upper surface of the deionization unit (200) located at the top of the deionization unit (200) disposed inside the housing (100) after the cover (120) is coupled to the housing body (110) while penetrating the cover (120).

[0119] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the deionization unit (200) may be a capacitive deionization (CDI) device formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes.

[0120] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of a deionization unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method of purifying water by a deionization unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a method of regenerating a deionization unit according to one embodiment.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the deionization unit (200) may include a plurality of electrodes (210), a plurality of ion exchange membranes (220), and a spacer (230). The deionization unit (200) may be formed by stacking the plurality of electrodes (210), the plurality of ion exchange membranes (220), and the spacer (230) in a certain order.

[0122] Each of the electrode (210), ion exchange membrane (220), and spacer (230) can be provided in the form of a thin plate or sheet.

[0123] A plurality of electrodes (210) may include a first electrode (211) and a second electrode (212).

[0124] The electrode (210) can be formed as an electrical conductor and can be formed as a porous structure capable of adsorbing ions.

[0125] Based on the drawing, the first electrode (211) may be positioned on the upper part of the deionization unit (200) to form the upper surface of the deionization unit (200), and the second electrode (212) may be positioned on the lower part of the deionization unit (200) to form the lower surface of the deionization unit (200).

[0126] The arrangement relationship of the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212) can be reversed vertically depending on the position where the deionization unit (200) is placed within the housing (100, see FIG. 2). For example, depending on the position where the deionization unit (200) is placed, the second electrode (212) may be placed on the upper side and the first electrode (211) on the lower side.

[0127] One side of the first electrode (211) and one side of the second electrode (212) may be arranged to face each other. One of the side of the first electrode (211) and one side of the second electrode (212) may act as a positive electrode, and the other may act as a negative electrode. Accordingly, an electric field may be formed between the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212). Below, an embodiment in which one side of the first electrode (211) acts as a positive electrode and one side of the second electrode (212) acts as a negative electrode will be described.

[0128] The ion exchange membrane (220) may include a cation exchange membrane (221) and an anion exchange membrane (222). The cation exchange membrane (221) may be configured to allow only cations to pass through, and the anion exchange membrane (222) may be configured to allow only anions to pass through. The cation exchange membrane (221) may be attached to one side of a second electrode (212) acting as a negative electrode, and the anion exchange membrane (222) may be attached to one side of a first electrode (211) acting as a positive electrode. However, the ion exchange membrane (220) may be omitted.

[0129] A spacer (230) may be placed between the cation exchange membrane (221) and the anion exchange membrane (222). The spacer (230) may be configured to allow water to pass through its interior. For example, the spacer (230) may include a mesh material. However, there are no specific restrictions on the material of the spacer (230).

[0130] Water can pass through the deionization unit (200) by flowing inside the spacer (230). At this time, cations contained in the water can be moved by the second electrode (212) acting as a negative electrode and adsorbed on one side of the second electrode (212), and anions contained in the water can be moved by the first electrode (211) acting as a positive electrode and adsorbed on one side of the first electrode (211). Each of the cation exchange membrane (221) and the anion exchange membrane (222) can facilitate the capture of cations and anions. Additionally, each of the cation exchange membrane (221) and the anion exchange membrane (222) can limit the adsorption of cations or anions on one side of the first electrode (211) or one side of the second electrode (212) during the regeneration of the deionization unit (200).

[0131] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 10, the method of purifying water by the deionization unit (200) and the method of regenerating the deionization unit (200) will be described. For convenience of explanation, the cation exchange membrane (221), the anion exchange membrane (222), and the spacer (230) are omitted from the drawings.

[0132] As an adsorption voltage is applied to the deionization unit (200), one side of the first electrode (211) can act as an anode, and one side of the second electrode (212) can act as a cathode. At this time, when water moves between the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212) which are spaced apart from each other, ionic substances contained in the water can move to the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212) by electrical attraction. Accordingly, ionic substances having a negative charge can be adsorbed on the first electrode (211), and ionic substances having a positive charge can be adsorbed on the second electrode (212). Therefore, water passing through the deionization unit (210) may not contain ionic substances or may contain a very small amount of ionic substances.

[0133] However, as the water purification operation is continuously performed, if ionic substances continue to accumulate on the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212), the porous electrode may become saturated due to ion adsorption on the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212). When the electrode (210) reaches a saturated state in this way, ionic substances are not easily adsorbed on the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212), so the adsorption capacity of the deionization unit (200) may decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to regenerate the deionization unit (200) to restore the adsorption performance of the deionization device (200).

[0134] To restore the adsorption capacity of the deionization unit (200), a regeneration voltage having a polarity opposite to the adsorption voltage may be applied to the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212). Due to the application of the regeneration voltage, one side of the first electrode (211) may act as a negative electrode, and one side of the second electrode (212) may act as a positive electrode. Accordingly, ionic substances attached to the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212) may be separated from the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212).

[0135] Additionally, even when no voltage is applied to the deionization unit (200) and thus no dielectric polarization occurs at the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212), ionic substances can be separated from the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212). In this case, since neither one side of the first electrode (211) nor one side of the second electrode (212) acts as an anode or a cathode, the electric field between the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212) can disappear, and as a result, ionic substances can be separated from the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212).

[0136] The ionic substances separated from the first electrode (211) and the second electrode (212) can be discharged to the outside along with water. Through this, the adsorption capacity of the deionization device (200) can be restored.

[0137] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of section "C" of Figure 8.

[0138] Two deionization units (200) positioned on both sides of a single connection terminal (700) may have multiple layers constituting each deionization unit (200) arranged so that they are inverted vertically with respect to the divider (300) and the connection terminal (700).

[0139] Two deionization units (200) positioned on both sides of a single connection terminal (700) may be arranged such that the same electrode of either the first or second electrode (211, 212) is electrically connected to the connection terminal (700).

[0140] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a connection terminal (700) may be arranged so that the first electrode (211) of two deionization units (200) arranged on both sides is connected to the connection terminal (700).

[0141] In this case, the deionization unit (200) positioned on the upper side of the divider (300) and the connection terminal (700) may have the first electrode (211), an anion exchange membrane (222), a spacer (230), a cation exchange membrane (221), and the second electrode (212) sequentially arranged facing upward, and the deionization unit (200) positioned on the lower side of the divider (300) and the connection terminal (700) may have the first electrode (211), an anion exchange membrane (222), a spacer (230), a cation exchange membrane (221), and the second electrode (212) sequentially arranged facing downward.

[0142] In another perspective, two deionization units (200) positioned on both sides of a single connection terminal (700) may have multiple layers constituting each deionization unit (200) arranged symmetrically around the divider (300) and the connection terminal (700).

[0143] The connection terminal (700) may be formed to protrude from both sides of the device (300) toward the deionization unit (200) for contact with the deionization unit (200) positioned on both sides.

[0144] The connection terminal (700) may be provided such that, based on the drawing, the upper surface (701) and the lower surface (702) protrude slightly in the vertical direction from the upper surface (301) and the lower surface (302) of the divider (300). The thickness of the connection terminal (700) may be formed to be thicker than the thickness of the divider (300). Accordingly, the connection terminal (700) can be electrically connected by simultaneously contacting the deionization unit (200) positioned at the top and bottom.

[0145] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a divider and a connection terminal of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0146] According to the concept of the present disclosure, in a state where a deionization unit (200) and a divider (300) are stacked within a housing body (110), a connection terminal (750) can be coupled to a connection terminal (700) of a divider (300), and in a state where a connection terminal (750) is coupled to a divider (300), the divider (300) can be positioned inside the housing body (110), and the connection terminal (750) can be passed from inside the housing body (10) to the outside of the housing body (110) through a through hole (130) so that the divider (200) and the connection terminal (750) can be mounted on the housing (100).

[0147] In this case, the connecting terminal (750) and the connecting terminal (700) are formed integrally and coupled to the divider (300), or can be inserted during the injection process of the divider (300).

[0148] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a divider and internal wiring of a water treatment device according to one embodiment.

[0149] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the water treatment device (10) may include internal wiring (770) that electrically connects an electrode terminal (760) and a connection terminal (700) of each divider (300) inside the housing (100).

[0150] The internal wiring (770) may include a first internal wire (771) connecting between the first electrode terminal (761) and the connection terminal (700), and a second internal wire (772) connecting between the second electrode terminal (762) and the remaining connection terminal (700) that is not connected to the first internal wiring (772).

[0151] When power is connected to each connection terminal (700) via internal wiring (770), the same through hole (130) and connection terminal (750) as in the previous embodiment may be omitted.

[0152] FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a divider according to one embodiment.

[0153] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the connection terminal (700a) disposed on the divider (300) can be formed in various sizes and shapes.

[0154] The connection terminal (700a) placed on the divider (300) can be formed to have a rectangular contact surface and can be formed to have a larger contact area than the connection terminal (700) shown in FIG. 4.

[0155] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a divider according to one embodiment.

[0156] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the connection terminal (700b) disposed on the divider (300) may be formed to have a circular contact surface.

[0157] FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating a divider according to one embodiment.

[0158] According to the concept of the present disclosure, a connection terminal (700c) disposed on a divider (300) may be formed to have a circular contact surface and may be formed to have a larger contact surface than the contact terminal (700b) shown in FIG. 15, so as to be disposed to form most of the upper and lower surfaces of the divider (300).

[0159] Specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the essence of the technical concept of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A housing having an inlet and an outlet; A plurality of deionization units disposed within the above housing; A plurality of dividers disposed between adjacent deionization units among the plurality of deionization units to partition the space between the adjacent deionization units; and A water treatment device comprising: a connection terminal disposed in the divider and electrically connected to the adjacent deionization unit to supply power.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above deionization unit is, A first electrode and a second electrode composed of conductors and spaced apart from each other and positioned opposite each other; An anion exchange membrane disposed on one surface of the first electrode; A cation exchange membrane disposed on one surface of the second electrode; and A water treatment device comprising a spacer disposed between the anion exchange membrane and the cation exchange membrane.

3. In Paragraph 2, The two deionization units adjacent to both sides of the connection terminal are a water treatment device in which the same electrode of either the first electrode or the second electrode is electrically connected to the connection terminal.

4. In Paragraph 3, A water treatment device in which the above connection terminal is formed to protrude from both sides of the divider toward the adjacent first electrode or second electrode for contact with the first electrode or the second electrode.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above divider includes a receiving groove for accommodating the connection terminal, and The above connection terminal is a water treatment device coupled to the above receiving groove.

6. In Paragraph 5, A water treatment device further comprising a connection terminal electrically connected to the connection terminal while positioned to penetrate the inside and outside of the housing.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above connection terminal includes a coupling groove for coupling with the above connection terminal, and A water treatment device in which the above-mentioned connection terminal is inserted into the above-mentioned coupling groove and coupled with the above-mentioned connection terminal.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above housing is a water treatment device comprising a plurality of through holes through which the connection terminal can pass.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above through hole is, A plurality of first through holes through which the above-mentioned connection terminal passes, and A water treatment device comprising a plurality of second through holes through which a power source with a polarity opposite to that of the power source connected to the connection terminal of the first through hole is connected.

10. In Paragraph 9, The first through holes are arranged in a line in the vertical direction on the side of the housing, and The above second through hole is a water treatment device arranged in a line in the vertical direction on the side of the housing, spaced apart from the first through hole.

11. In Paragraph 10, The connection terminal connected to the connection terminal penetrating the first through hole is connected to the first electrode of the deionization unit, and A water treatment device in which the connection terminal connected to the connection terminal penetrating the second through hole is connected to the second electrode of the deionization unit.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above housing is formed in a cylindrical shape, and A water treatment device in which the above deionization unit and the above divider are formed in a disc shape corresponding to the internal shape of the housing and are repeatedly stacked in the vertical direction inside the housing.

13. In Paragraph 12, A first electrode terminal provided to be electrically connected to the upper surface of a deionization unit positioned at the top of the deionization units stacked inside the housing, and A water treatment device further comprising a second electrode terminal arranged to be electrically connected to the lower surface of a deionization unit positioned at the bottom of the deionization units stacked inside the housing.

14. In Paragraph 13, The first electrode terminal is connected in parallel with a power source having the same polarity as the connection terminal coupled to the first through hole, and The above second electrode terminal is a water treatment device in which a power source of the same polarity as the connection terminal coupled to the above second through hole is connected in parallel.

15. In Paragraph 6, A water treatment device in which the above connection terminal and the above connection terminal are integrally formed and coupled to the above divider.

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