Water Purifier Automatic Cleaning Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water purifier cleaning methods are inefficient, as they require manual intervention, may not effectively remove contaminants from filter connecting portions, and can result in users consuming water with cleaning agent odors if not properly rinsed.
Innovation Solution
A method for cleaning a water purifier that involves a step-by-step process using cleaning water and rinsing water, where cleaning agent is dissolved and discharged after a predetermined time, and rinsing water is supplied and discharged similarly, allowing for automatic execution and reducing the need for professional visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning agent is put into the water tank unit and water is discharged after a predetermined time, then the cleaning process can be performed, but contaminants accumulated on filter connecting portions cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into multiple sequential stages: first cleaning water supply to the water tank unit, then cleaning water discharge, followed by rinsing water supply and discharge. This segmentation allows different cleaning agents and procedures to target different areas, including filter connecting portions that were previously inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically supplying cleaning water to the water tank unit before the user operates the purifier. The controller automatically manages the sequence of cleaning water supply, discharge, rinsing water supply, and discharge, ensuring that filter connecting portions are cleaned before normal operation resumes.
2Productivity
If the cleaning process is judged by the Codi's intuition or by lapse of time, then the cleaning can be completed, but the Codi must always be concerned about the watch and a difference value may occur in cleaning degree
Solution Approach 1:
The controller provides feedback by automatically monitoring and controlling the cleaning process duration. It supplies cleaning water for a predetermined time, then automatically discharges it, followed by rinsing water supply and discharge. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual time monitoring and ensures consistent cleaning quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The water purifier performs self-service cleaning through its controller, which automatically manages the entire cleaning sequence without requiring a Codi to monitor the process. The system independently controls cleaning water supply, discharge, rinsing water supply, and discharge, ensuring uniform cleaning quality across all operations.
3Ease of operation
If a user immediately uses the water purifier without following the Codi's instructions after the cleaning agent-included water has been discharged, then the user can use the purifier conveniently, but the user may drink water mixed with the odor of the cleaning agent
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs preliminary rinsing water supply and discharge after the cleaning agent has been discharged. This preliminary rinsing action removes cleaning agent residues from the water tank unit and piping before the user operates the purifier, preventing contamination of drinking water while maintaining user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process continues automatically with rinsing water supply and discharge immediately following the cleaning agent discharge. This continuous automated operation ensures that the water tank unit is thoroughly rinsed without requiring user intervention, eliminating cleaning agent odors before the user can use the purifier.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables efficient and automatic cleaning and rinsing of water purifiers, reducing the frequency of professional visits, enhancing user convenience, and allowing for on-demand cleaning, while ensuring purified water quality.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning water supplying step of supplying cleaning water in which a cleaning agent is dissolved to the water tank unit
Implementation Method 2
a filtering unit for filtering contaminants from raw water
Implementation Method 3
the reverse osmosis method is a method for filtering impurities by passing water through a semi-permeable membrane with using a pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for cleaning a water purifier comprising: a filtering unit; a water tank unit for storing purified water having passed through the filtering unit; and a discharging unit for discharging out the purified water stored in the water tank unit, the method comprises: a cleaning water supplying step of supplying cleaning water in which a cleaning agent is dissolved to the water tank unit; a cleaning water discharging step of discharging the cleaning water when a predetermined time has lapsed; a rinsing water supplying step of supplying rinsing water to the water tank unit when the cleaning water discharging step has been completed; and a rinsing water discharging step of discharging the rinsing water when a predetermined time has lapsed. In the method, cleaning and rinsing processes for a water purifier are automatically executed by a series of consecutive processes. Accordingly, a user can directly clean the water purifier if necessary without requiring a Codi's visit.