Mineral Water Supply Module Cleaning Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drinking water supply devices with mineral water supply modules face issues with clogging and contamination due to scale deposits and residual minerals, requiring efficient cleaning methods to maintain flow and sanitation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mineral drainage unit with a drainage pipe and valve to rapidly discharge residual minerals, a cleaning water supply mode using a dedicated cartridge, and a rinsing water supply mode to effectively clean the mineral water supply module, including a controller to manage the cleaning process and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a micro channel is used to supply a very small amount of minerals, then the mineral supply efficiency is improved, but the micro channel becomes easily clogged due to scale deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a cleaning operation before the mineral cartridge is replaced. The controller automatically activates a cleaning mode that circulates cleaning water through the micro channel and mineral supply pipe to remove scale deposits in advance, preventing clogging before it occurs during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically cleaning its own mineral supply pathways. When the mineral cartridge is detected to be replaced, the controller autonomously initiates the cleaning sequence without user intervention, using the water supply system to flush out scale deposits from the micro channel and mineral supply pipe.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minerals are discharged in advance from the mineral cartridge, then contamination of surrounding structures is prevented, but cleaning time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by integrating the mineral discharge function into the automated cleaning sequence. Instead of requiring separate manual operations to discharge minerals and then clean, the system continuously performs both functions in one automated sequence: minerals are discharged through the drainage pipe while cleaning water simultaneously flushes the pathways, achieving both contamination prevention and cleaning without extending total time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic action by utilizing water flow to discharge minerals and clean the mineral supply pathways simultaneously. The water supply system provides continuous flow that both pushes minerals out through the drainage pipe and cleans the micro channel and mineral supply pipe, combining multiple functions into one hydraulic operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A drinking water supply device may comprise a mineral water supply module comprising a mineral cartridge to store condensed minerals, a mineral supply pipe provided with a micro channel to supply minerals to a water supply pipe, a mineral cartridge receiver detachably coupled to the mineral cartridge and connected to the mineral supply pipe, a mineral supply valve to open and close the mineral supply pipe, and a discharge pipe to discharge filtered water or mineral water. A method of cleaning a drinking water supply device may comprise of discharging residual minerals using a mineral drainage unit including a drainage pipe connected to the mineral supply pipe and a drainage valve to open and close the drainage pipe, supplying cleaning water to a channel in which minerals or mineral water flow of the mineral water supply module, and supplying rinsing water to the channel.