Water purifier with ice-maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice-making water purifiers cannot immediately switch to hot water extraction when ice-making water is being supplied, leading to inconvenience and potential misunderstandings about the hot water extraction function, as they rely on timers and lack control over ice-making water supply.
Innovation Solution
An ice-making water purifier with a control unit that manages the supply pump and ice-making water supply valve using a flow rate sensor to prioritize hot water extraction, allowing for immediate switching and precise control of water supply to both the instantaneous heating device and ice-making unit, enabling flexible installation positions and reduced part costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a timer is used to control the opening time of the ice-making water supply valve for a predetermined period, then the ice-making water supply can be automated, but the system cannot immediately switch to hot water extraction when ice-making water is being supplied
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the operation mode by detecting user input signals. When a hot water extraction signal is received during ice-making water supply, the control unit immediately stops the ice-making water supply valve and switches to hot water extraction mode, enabling real-time adaptability between different functions
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply control is segmented into separate controllable paths: one for ice-making water supply (controlled by the ice-making water supply valve) and another for hot water extraction (controlled by the supply pump). This segmentation allows independent control of each function, enabling immediate switching between modes without interference
2Device complexity
If the purified water tank is located at an upper end to use water head difference for water movement, then the system structure is simplified, but the amount of purified water supplied varies depending on water level differences
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit replaces the passive mechanical water head-driven supply system with an active electronically-controlled system. The ice-making water supply valve is controlled by the control unit based on detected water level information, enabling precise control of the supplied water amount regardless of tank water level variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting the water level in the purified water tank and using this information to control the opening time of the ice-making water supply valve. This ensures a constant amount of ice-making water is supplied regardless of the water head difference, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and controlled quantity
3Reliability
If the instantaneous heating device is installed below the extraction member to secure safety, then safety is improved, but it requires a supply pump to pressurize water for hot water extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The supply pump is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both the hot water extraction function (pressurizing water to the instantaneous heating device) and the ice-making water supply function (supplying water to the ice-making unit). This universal design allows the system to maintain safety requirements while avoiding excessive complexity by using a single pump for multiple purposes
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
Enables immediate and efficient hot water extraction, stable ice-making water supply, and increased design freedom for the ice-making unit installation, reducing the number of parts and costs by utilizing the supply pump and flow rate sensor effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a supply pump configured to operate to supply purified water from the purified water tank to the instantaneous heating device and the ice-making unit using pressure
Implementation Method 2
an instantaneous heating device providing a user with instantaneous heating (rapid heating) of purified water flowing through an interior thereof
Implementation Method 3
a flow rate sensor installed upstream of a point at which the ice-making unit water inlet passage is branched to measure a flow rate of the purified water supplied from the purified water tank to the instantaneous heating device and the ice-making unit, respectively
Implementation Method 4
a control unit for controlling driving of the supply pump and opening and closing of the ice-making water supply valve such that purified water corresponding to a predetermined supply amount of ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making unit on the basis of a flow rate value measured by the flow rate sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An ice-making water purifier includes a water tank unit, an instantaneous heating device, an extraction member, an ice-maker, a supply pump, an ice-making water inlet passage, an ice-making water supply valve, a flow rate sensor, and a controller configured to control driving of the supply pump and the opening and closing of the ice-making water supply valve such that purified water corresponding to a predetermined supply amount of ice-making water is supplied to the ice-maker on the basis of a flow rate value measured by the flow rate sensor. The controller controls the opening and closing of the channel such that purified water is preferentially supplied to the instantaneous heating device among the instantaneous heating device and the ice-maker.