KR20240155574A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purifier. Specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a water purifier comprising: a water outlet for discharging water to the outside; a filter for filtering raw water to provide purified water; a sterilizing tank for receiving purified water; a sterilizing module for sterilizing the purified water received in the sterilizing tank; a flow channel connected to the water outlet, the filter, and the sterilizing tank to provide a passage through which purified water and sterilized water flow; a valve module including one or more valves selectively opened and closed to control the flow of purified water and sterilized water in the flow channel; And a controller controlling the valve module based on a plurality of flow modes, wherein the plurality of flow modes include a sterilized untreated water discharge mode in which purified water that has not been sterilized by the sterilizing module is discharged as sterilized untreated water to the water discharge port, and a sterilized water discharge mode in which purified water sterilized by the sterilizing module is discharged as sterilized water to the water discharge port, and a water purifier wherein, when a user selects a volume of water discharged to the water discharge port, the controller controls the valve module based on the sterilized untreated water discharge mode when the volume of water selected by the user is equal to or greater than a threshold volume, and controls the valve module based on the sterilized water discharge mode when the volume of water selected by the user is less than a threshold volume.

Description

Water purifier {WATER PURIFIER}

The present invention relates to a water purifier.

In general, a water purifier is a device that receives raw water from a water source such as a tap, filters it into purified water through a filter provided inside, and then provides purified water to the user. In addition, a water purifier can provide cold water cooled to a temperature below a predetermined temperature or hot water heated to a temperature above a predetermined temperature to the user.

These water purifiers can remove particulate impurities, heavy metals, and other harmful substances contained in raw water by filtering the raw water. However, there is a problem that the filter can be easily contaminated with bacteria, and microorganisms or bacteria remaining in the filter can flow into the water purification tank, so bacteria or microorganisms can infiltrate and multiply in the purified water stored in the water purification tank.

Against this backdrop, various methods for sterilizing the water tank and purified water of a water purifier are being proposed.

In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0095807 "Multi-UV lamp device for sterilizing water purifier for periodic inspection" of the applicant Jeil Aqua Co., Ltd. discloses a water purifier tank and a UV lamp, and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0037139 "Water purifier having UV LED and light guide rod" (Patent Document 2) of the applicant LG Innotek Co., Ltd. discloses a water storage tank, a UV LED, and a light guide rod. In Patent Document 1, a UV lamp is arranged inside a water purifier tank, and the inside of the water purifier tank and the purified water contained inside the water purifier tank can be sterilized by the operation of the UV lamp, and in Patent Document 2, a light guide rod that irradiates UV of a UV LED is arranged inside a water storage tank, and the inside of the water storage tank and the purified water contained inside the water storage tank can be sterilized by the operation of the UV LED.

However, since Patent Documents 1 and 2 sterilize the entire interior of the water purifier and the water storage tank and all of the purified water contained inside the water purifier and the water storage tank using a UV lamp and a UV LED, there was a problem that it was difficult to satisfy the sterilizing effect with a single UV lamp and UV LED. In other words, Patent Documents 1 and 2 had a problem that the sterilizing efficiency of the interior of the water purifier and the water storage tank and the purified water was low because the sterilizing area that must be sterilized by a single UV lamp and UV LED was excessively large compared to the UV irradiation amount of the UV lamp and UV LED. Therefore, in order to satisfy the sterilizing effect of the interior of the water purifier and the water storage tank and the purified water, there is a problem that the time for which UV is irradiated must be increased or the number of UV lamps must be increased.

Meanwhile, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0126117 "Water Purifier" (Patent Document 3) of applicant Jeong Hwi-dong discloses a filter unit and an ultraviolet sterilizer, and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0081210 "Tubular Fluid Purification Device" (Patent Document 4) of applicant Seoul Biosys Co., Ltd. discloses a conduit unit and a light-emitting diode. In Patent Document 1, water flowing in a flow path in a filter unit is irradiated with UV by an ultraviolet sterilizer, so that water can be sterilized in the process of filtering the water in the filter unit, and in Patent Document 4, water flowing in a conduit unit is irradiated with UV by a light-emitting diode, so that water can be sterilized in the process of flowing in the conduit unit.

However, since Patent Documents 3 and 4 sterilize water flowing at a high speed through the flow path and pipe section within the filter section, there was a problem that the sterilizing time for sterilizing the water was insufficient, making it difficult for sterilizing energy to be transferred to the flowing water to sterilize the water. In other words, although Patent Documents 3 and 4 irradiate UV to a relatively narrow sterilizing area, such as the flow path and pipe section within the filter section, since water flows at a high speed through the sterilizing area where the UV is irradiated, there was a problem that it was difficult to satisfy the sterilizing effect of the water because sufficient sterilizing energy to sterilize the flowing water was not transferred to the water.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0095807 (Published on August 4, 2014) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0037139 (Published on April 19, 2012) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0126117 (Published on October 30, 2014) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0081210 (Published on July 8, 2016)

Embodiments of the present invention have been invented against the background described above, and are intended to provide a water purifier that can sterilize drinking water separately from purified water, and selectively discharge sterilized water or unsterilized purified water according to the user's choice.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water purifier comprising: a water outlet for discharging water to the outside; a filter for filtering raw water to provide purified water; a sterilizing tank for receiving purified water; a sterilizing module for sterilizing the purified water received in the sterilizing tank; a flow channel connected to the water outlet, the filter, and the sterilizing tank to provide a passage through which purified water and sterilized water flow; a valve module including one or more valves selectively opened and closed to control the flow of purified water and sterilized water in the flow channel; And a controller controlling the valve module based on a plurality of flow modes, wherein the plurality of flow modes include a sterilized untreated water discharge mode in which purified water that has not been sterilized by the sterilizing module is discharged as sterilized untreated water to the water discharge port, and a sterilized water discharge mode in which purified water sterilized by the sterilizing module is discharged as sterilized water to the water discharge port, and a water purifier wherein, when a user selects a volume of water discharged to the water discharge port, the controller controls the valve module based on the sterilized untreated water discharge mode when the volume of water selected by the user is equal to or greater than a threshold volume, and controls the valve module based on the sterilized water discharge mode when the volume of water selected by the user is less than a threshold volume.

In addition, a water purifier can be provided in which the sterilizing module includes a UV lamp, the sterilizing module irradiates UV with a predetermined intensity to purified water contained in the sterilizing tank, and the predetermined intensity is an intensity at which 90% or more of bacteria are killed when irradiated with UV for 1 minute at room temperature.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided that further includes a water purification tank that accommodates purified water, the water purification tank having a capacity greater than that of the sterilization tank, and in the sterilization untreated water discharge mode, purified water accommodated in the water purification tank is discharged as sterilization untreated water through the discharge port.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided in which the flow channel includes a purified water supply path connected to the filter and the purified water tank to provide a path through which purified water provided by the filter flows into the purified water tank; a purified water discharge path connected to the purified water tank and the sterilizing tank to provide a path through which purified water inside the purified water tank flows into the sterilizing tank; a purified water outlet path connected to the purified water tank and the outlet to provide a path through which purified water inside the purified water tank flows to the outlet; and a discharge outlet path connected to the sterilizing tank and the outlet to provide a path through which sterilized water inside the sterilizing tank flows to the outlet, wherein the purified water outlet path is configured not to pass through the sterilizing tank.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided in which the valve module includes a water purification valve that opens and closes to allow or restrict the flow of purified water within the water purification outlet channel; and a sterilization treatment water valve that opens and closes to allow or restrict the flow of sterilization treatment water within the discharge outlet channel.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided that further includes a cold water tank that cools the sterilized water to provide cold water, and the flow channel further includes a sterilized water supply path that provides a path for the sterilized water in the sterilized tank to flow to the cold water tank; and a water outlet path that provides a path for the cold water in the cold water tank to flow to the water outlet, and the valve module further includes a cold water valve that opens and closes to allow or restrict the flow of cold water in the water outlet path.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided in which the sterilizing tank is arranged so that the level of the sterilized water contained in the sterilizing tank is lower than the level of the purified water contained in the purification tank, and the purified water in the purification tank flows to the sterilizing tank due to the water level difference between the sterilizing tank and the purification tank.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided in which the cold water tank is arranged so that the level of the cold water contained in the cold water tank is lower than the level of the sterilized water contained in the sterilizing tank, and the sterilized water in the sterilizing tank flows into the cold water tank due to the water level difference between the cold water tank and the sterilizing tank.

In addition, a water purifier may be provided in which, when the sterilized water in the sterilization tank is discharged through the outlet, purified water flows into the sterilization tank, and when the purified water flows into the sterilization tank, the sterilization module operates at every predetermined sterilization start cycle during the sterilization time from the time the purified water flows into the sterilization tank, and when the sterilization time has elapsed from the time the purified water flows into the sterilization tank, the sterilization module operates at every sterilization maintenance cycle that is longer than the sterilization start cycle.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is an effect in which sterilized water that can be consumed by a user is sterilized separately from purified water, and sterilized water or purified water can be selectively discharged according to the water extraction capacity selected by the user.

In addition, a sterilization tank that provides sterilized water and a purified water tank that accommodates purified water that does not require sterilization are provided separately, and only purified water in the sterilization tank, which has a smaller capacity than the purified water tank, is sterilized, so that the sterilization effect can be satisfied with a short sterilization time while irradiating UV of relatively low intensity.

In addition, when a user uses purified water that does not require sterilization in a water purifier, such as water that will be used for cooking and heated, unsterilized purified water is provided to the user, thereby eliminating the need for unnecessary sterilization.

In addition, since it includes a cold water tank that cools the sterilized water to provide cold water, it has the effect of providing sterilized cold water to the user.

In addition, since the sterilization module operates for a certain sterilization time at each predetermined sterilization start cycle from the time purified water flows into the sterilization tank, the purified water is sterilized, thereby providing the user with sterilized water with a satisfactory sterilization effect.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a drawing showing the arrangement of a sterilizing tank, a water purification tank, and a cold water tank in the water purifier of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a drawing showing the state in which purified water flows to a sterilization tank and the state in which sterilized water flows to a cold water tank in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a drawing showing the flow path of water when in the sterilization treatment export mode in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a drawing showing the flow path of water in the sterilized untreated export water mode in Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a drawing showing the flow path of water in the cold water extraction mode in Figure 2.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the technical idea of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, when explaining the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Additionally, when it is mentioned that a component is 'connected to' or 'supplied with' another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or supplied with that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

The terminology used in this specification is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In addition, it is to be noted in advance that the expressions such as top, bottom, side, etc. in this specification are explained based on the illustration in the drawing and may be expressed differently if the direction of the object is changed. For the same reason, some components in the attached drawing are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated, and the size of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size.

Additionally, terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

The word "comprising" as used in the specification means specifying a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element, and/or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of any other particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element, component, and/or group.

Hereinafter, the specific configuration of a water purifier (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a water purifier (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention can provide clean water to a user by filtering water supplied from an external source. For example, the water purifier (10) can receive water from a water supply source (not shown) such as a tap water, and can filter the supplied water into clean water. The water purifier (10) can include a water outlet (100), a filter (200), a water purification tank (300), a sterilization tank (400), a sterilization module (500), a cold water tank (600), a flow channel (700), a valve module (800), and a controller (900).

The outlet (100) can discharge one or more of sterilized water, purified water, and cold water to the outside of the water purifier (10). The outlet (100) is connected to the sterilization tank (400), the purified water tank (300), and the cold water tank (600) through the flow channel (700) to receive one or more of sterilized water, purified water, and cold water and discharge the water to the outside of the water purifier (10). The outlet (100) is arranged on the outside of the water purifier (10) and can discharge one or more of sterilized water, purified water, and cold water by the user's operation. The purified water among the water discharged through the outlet (100) may be untreated sterilized water that has not been sterilized.

The filter (200) can filter water introduced from the outside of the water purifier (10) to provide purified water. The filter (200) can be provided as a UF (ultrafiltration) filter, an NT (nanotrap) filter, an RO (reverse osmosis) filter, etc. The filter (200) can be connected to a water supply source through a raw water inflow path (770) of a flow channel (700) described below to receive raw water from the water supply source. The raw water introduced into the filter (200) can be filtered by the filter (200) to provide purified water. A plurality of such filters (200) can be provided, and the plurality of filters (200) can include a pre-treatment filter and a post-treatment filter.

The water purification tank (300) can provide a space for receiving purified water provided by the filter (200). The water purification tank (300) can be connected to the filter (200) through the purified water supply path (710) and can receive purified water filtered by the filter (200). The purified water received in the water purification tank (300) can be untreated water that has not been sterilized.

The sterilizing tank (400) can provide a space for receiving sterilized water. The sterilizing tank (400) can be connected to the purified water tank (300) through the purified water discharge path (720) and can receive purified water discharged from the purified water tank (300). The sterilizing tank (400) can be arranged at the lower side of the purified water tank (300), and the purified water discharge path (720) can be arranged to connect the lower part of the purified water tank (300) and the upper part of the sterilizing tank (400). Accordingly, purified water can freely fall through the purified water discharge path (720) and flow into the interior of the sterilizing tank (400). In this way, purified water flowing into the interior of the sterilizing tank (400) can be sterilized by the sterilizing module (500) and provided as sterilized water.

The sterilization module (500) can sterilize purified water contained within the sterilization tank (400) to provide sterilized water. The sterilization module (500) can be provided by a UV lamp placed within the sterilization tank (400). The sterilization module (500) can irradiate UV with a predetermined intensity to purified water contained within the sterilization tank (400). The predetermined intensity of UV can be an intensity at which 90% or more of bacteria are killed when irradiating UV for 1 minute to 1,000 cfu/L or more of bacteria at room temperature.

The cold water tank (600) can provide a space for receiving cold water. The cold water tank (600) can be connected to the sterilization tank (400) through the sterilization treatment water supply path (750) and can receive sterilized sterilized water from the sterilization tank (400). The cold water tank (600) can be arranged at the lower side of the sterilization tank (400), and the sterilization treatment water supply path (750) can be arranged to connect the lower part of the sterilization tank (400) and the upper part of the cold water tank (600). Accordingly, the sterilized water can freely fall through the sterilization treatment water supply path (750) and flow into the interior of the cold water tank (600). In this way, the sterilized water that has flowed into the interior of the cold water tank (600) can be cooled by a cooler (not shown) and provided as cold water.

The flow channel (700) can be connected to the outlet (100), the filter (200), the water purification tank (300), the sterilization tank (400), and the cold water tank (600) to provide a passage through which raw water, purified water, sterilized water, and cold water flow. The flow channel (700) can include a purified water supply path (710), a purified water discharge path (720), a purified water discharge path (730), a discharged water discharge path (740), a sterilized water supply path (750), a discharge path (760), and a raw water inflow path (770).

The purified water supply path (710) can provide a passage through which purified water flows so that purified water provided through the filter (200) flows into the purified water tank (300). This purified water supply path (710) can be connected to the filter (200) and the purified water tank (300). In other words, purified water can flow into the purified water tank (300) through the purified water supply path (710).

The purified water discharge path (720) can provide a passage through which purified water contained in the purified water tank (300) flows to the sterilization tank (400). This purified water discharge path (720) can be connected to the lower part of the purified water tank (300) and the upper part of the sterilization tank (400). In other words, purified water can freely fall through the purified water discharge path (720) and flow to the sterilization tank (400).

The purified water outlet channel (730) can provide a passage through which purified water contained in the purified water tank (300) flows. This purified water outlet channel (730) can be connected to the purified water tank (300) and the discharge outlet channel (740). In other words, purified water can flow to the discharge outlet channel (740) through the purified water outlet channel (730). This purified water outlet channel (730) can also be directly connected to the outlet (100) to provide a passage through which purified water flows to the outlet (100).

The discharge export channel (740) can provide a passage through which sterilized water provided through the sterilization tank (400) flows. This discharge export channel (740) can be connected to the sterilization tank (400) and the outlet channel (760). In other words, the sterilized water can flow to the outlet channel (760) through the discharge export channel (740). In addition, since the discharge export channel (740) is connected to the purified water outlet channel (730), purified water can flow to the outlet channel (760) through the discharge export channel (740). This discharge export channel (740) can also be directly connected to the outlet (100) to provide a passage through which at least one of the sterilized water and purified water flows to the outlet (100).

The sterilizing water supply path (750) can provide a passage through which the sterilizing water contained in the sterilizing tank (400) flows to the cold water tank (600). This sterilizing water supply path (750) can be connected to the lower part of the sterilizing tank (400) and the upper part of the cold water tank (600). In other words, the sterilizing water can freely fall through the sterilizing water supply path (750) and flow to the cold water tank (600).

The water outlet (760) can provide a passage through which cold water can flow so that the cold water contained in the cold water tank (600) can flow to the water outlet (100). This water outlet (760) can be connected to the cold water tank (600) and the water outlet (100). In other words, the cold water can flow to the water outlet (100) through the water outlet (760). In addition, since the water outlet (760) is connected to the discharge water outlet (740), purified water or sterilized water can flow to the water outlet (100) through the water outlet (760).

The raw water inflow path (770) can provide a passage through which raw water flows so that raw water flowing from the outside of the water purifier (10) can flow to the filter (200). This raw water inflow path (770) can be connected to an external water supply source of the water purifier (10) and the filter (200). In other words, the raw water can flow to the filter (200) through the raw water inflow path (770).

The valve module (800) may include one or more valves that are selectively opened and closed to control the flow of water in the flow channel (700). The valve module (800) may include a water purification valve (810), a sterilization treatment water valve (820), and a cold water valve (830).

The purification valve (810) can be opened and closed to allow purified water to flow through the purification outlet channel (730). In other words, when the purification valve (810) is opened, purified water can flow from the purification tank (300) through the purification outlet channel (730) to the discharge outlet channel (740).

The sterilization treatment water valve (820) can be opened and closed so that the sterilization treatment water flows through the discharge water outlet channel (740). In other words, when the sterilization treatment water valve (820) is opened, the sterilization treatment water can flow from the sterilization tank (400) through the discharge water outlet channel (740) to the discharge water outlet channel (760).

The cold water valve (830) can be opened and closed to allow cold water to flow through the outlet passage (760). In other words, when the cold water valve (830) is opened, cold water can flow from the cold water tank (600) through the outlet passage (760) to the outlet (100).

The controller (900) can control the opening and closing of the valve module (800) based on one or more flow modes. The one or more flow modes can include a sterilized untreated water discharge mode, a sterilized water discharge mode, and a cold water discharge mode. The controller (900) can control the valve module (800) based on the sterilized untreated water discharge mode or the sterilized water discharge mode according to the amount of water selected by the user.

When the controller (900) is configured so that the water discharge capacity is selected or input by the user each time the water purifier (10) discharges water, if the water capacity selected by the user is greater than or equal to a threshold capacity that has been input in advance, the controller (900) can control the valve module (800) based on the sterilized untreated water discharge mode. The threshold capacity can be set to a capacity smaller than the capacity of the sterilized tank (400), for example. In addition, when the water purification tank (300) is included, the threshold capacity can be set to a capacity smaller than the capacity of the water purification tank (300). When the controller (900) is in the sterilized untreated water discharge mode, the valve module (800) can be controlled so that the purified water, which is unsterilized untreated water, is discharged through the discharge port (100). In other words, when the controller (900) is in the sterilized untreated water discharge mode, the controller (900) can control the water purification valve (810) to be opened, and the sterilized water valve (820) and the cold water valve (830) to be closed. For example, if the capacity of the sterilization tank (400) is 500 ml and the water discharge capacity selected by the user is 500 ml or more, the controller (900) can control the valve module (800) to discharge purified water through the water discharge port (100) because the capacity of the water selected by the user is greater than the critical capacity. Typically, if the user selects that 500 ml or more of water be discharged from the water purifier (10), the discharged water may be used as cooking water rather than drinking water. Since cooking water is sterilized by heating during cooking, it does not need to be provided as sterilized water, and thus can be provided as purified water to the user from the water purifier (10).

In addition, when the controller (900) is configured so that the water discharge capacity is selected or input by the user each time the water purifier (10) discharges water, if the water capacity selected by the user is less than the critical capacity, the controller (900) can control the valve module (800) based on the sterilization treatment discharge mode. When in the sterilization treatment discharge mode, the controller (900) can control the valve module (800) so that sterilized purified water, which is sterilized water, is discharged through the discharge port (100). In other words, when in the sterilization treatment discharge mode, the controller (900) can control the purified water valve (810) and the cold water valve (830) to be closed, and the sterilization treatment water valve (820) to be opened. For example, when the capacity of the sterilization tank (400) is 500 ml, the critical capacity can be formed to be smaller than 500 ml. If the critical capacity is 490 ml and the capacity of the water selected by the user is less than 490 ml, the controller (900) can control the valve module (800) to discharge sterilized water through the discharge port (100). Typically, if the user selects to discharge water less than the critical capacity from the water purifier (10), the discharged water can be used as drinking water. Since drinking water is water that the user drinks directly without heating, it can be provided to the user as sterilized water from the water purifier (10).

In addition, the controller (900) can control the valve module (800) based on the cold water outlet mode when cold water is selected by the user. The controller (900) can control the valve module (800) so that cold water is discharged to the outlet (100) when in the cold water outlet mode. In other words, the controller (900) can control the water purification valve (810) and the sterilization treatment water valve (820) to be closed and the cold water valve (830) to be opened when in the cold water outlet mode.

In addition, the controller (900) can control the sterilizing module (500) so that the sterilizing module (500) operates for a sterilization time at each predetermined sterilization start cycle from the time when the purified water flows into the sterilizing tank (400). For example, when the purified water flows into the sterilizing tank (400), the controller (900) can control the sterilizing module (500) so that the sterilizing module (500) operates for a sterilization time, which is a time during which the introduced purified water can be sterilized. When the sterilizing module (500) is operated by the controller (900) and the purified water is sterilized and converted into sterilized water, the controller (900) can stop the operation of the sterilizing module (500).

The controller (900) can control the sterilizing module (500) to sterilize the purified water for an initial sterilization time from the time when purified water is introduced, and then operate the sterilizing module (500) for each predetermined sterilization start cycle. For example, the controller (900) can control the sterilizing module (500) to sterilize the purified water for an initial time of 1 hour when purified water is introduced, and then operate the sterilizing module (500) for a predetermined sterilization operation time for each 1-hour sterilization start cycle during a sterilization time of 5 hours from the time when purified water is introduced.

In addition, the controller (900) can control the sterilization module (500) to operate for a sterilization maintenance cycle longer than the sterilization start cycle when the sterilization time has elapsed from the time when purified water flows into the sterilization tank (500). For example, when the sterilization maintenance cycle is 3 hours, the sterilization module (500) can be controlled to operate for a predetermined sterilization operation time for every sterilization maintenance cycle of 3 hours when 5 hours have elapsed from the time when purified water flows into the sterilization tank (500).

Hereinafter, the flow mode of a water purifier (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

Referring to FIG. 3, purified water contained in the water purification tank (300) can freely fall through the water purification discharge path (720) and flow into the sterilization tank (400). When the sterilization treatment discharge mode is on, when the sterilization treatment water inside the sterilization tank (400) is discharged through the discharge port (100), the purified water inside the water purification tank (300) can flow into the sterilization tank (400) due to the difference in water levels inside the water purification tank (300) and inside the sterilization tank (400). Meanwhile, since the idea of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the water purification tank (300), the water purifier (10) can also be configured to discharge purified water directly by omitting the water purification tank (300).

In addition, the sterilized water contained in the sterilization tank (400) can freely fall by gravity through the sterilized water supply path (750) and flow into the cold water tank (600). When the cold water inside the cold water tank (600) is discharged to the water discharge port (100) in the cold water discharge mode, the sterilized water inside the sterilization tank (400) can flow into the cold water tank (600) due to the difference in water level between the sterilization tank (400) and the cold water tank (600).

Referring to FIG. 4, in the sterilization treatment export mode, the sterilization treatment water in the sterilization tank (400) can flow through the discharge export water path (740) and flow into the outlet path (760). In the sterilization treatment export water mode, the controller (900) can control the water purification valve (810) and the cold water valve (830) to be closed, and control the sterilization treatment water valve (820) to be opened. In the sterilization treatment export water mode, the sterilization treatment water can flow into the outlet (100) through the outlet path (760). In this way, the sterilization treatment water flowing into the outlet (100) can be discharged from the outlet (100) by the user's operation and provided to the user.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the sterilized untreated water export mode, purified water can flow through the purified water export channel (730) and flow into the discharge export channel (740). In the sterilized untreated water export mode, the controller (900) can control the purified water valve (810) to open, and the sterilized water valve (820) and the cold water valve (830) to close. In the sterilized untreated water export mode, purified water can flow through the discharge export channel (740) to the discharge channel (760) and flow into the discharge port (100) through the discharge channel (760). In this way, purified water that has flowed into the discharge port (100) can be discharged from the discharge port (100) and provided to the user.

Referring to Fig. 6, in the cold water outlet mode, cold water can flow through the outlet path (760) and flow to the outlet (100). In the cold water outlet mode, the controller (900) can control the water purification valve (810) and the sterilization treatment water valve (820) to close, and control the cold water valve (830) to open. In this way, the cold water flowing to the outlet (100) can be discharged from the outlet (100) and provided to the user.

Below, the operation and effect of a water purifier (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

A water purifier (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect that sterilized water that can be consumed by a user is sterilized separately from purified water, and sterilized water or purified water can be selectively discharged according to the water extraction capacity selected by the user.

In addition, a sterilization tank (400) that provides sterilized water and a purified water tank (300) that accommodates purified water that does not require sterilization are provided separately, and only purified water in the sterilization tank (400) that has a smaller capacity than the purified water tank (300) is sterilized, so that a sterilization effect can be satisfied with a short sterilization time while irradiating UV of a relatively low intensity.

In addition, when the user uses purified water that does not require sterilization in a water purifier (10), such as water that will be used for cooking and heated, unsterilized purified water is provided to the user, thereby eliminating the need for unnecessary sterilization.

In addition, since a cold water tank (600) that cools the sterilized water to provide cold water is included, there is an effect of being able to provide sterilized cold water to the user.

In addition, since the sterilization module operates for a certain sterilization time at each predetermined sterilization start cycle from the time purified water flows into the sterilization tank (400), the purified water is sterilized, thereby providing the user with sterilized water with a satisfactory sterilization effect.

Although the above embodiments of the present invention have been described as specific embodiments, they are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto, but should be interpreted to have the widest scope according to the technical idea disclosed in this specification. Those skilled in the art may combine/substitute the disclosed embodiments to implement a pattern of a shape not specified, but this also does not go beyond the scope of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art may easily change or modify the disclosed embodiments based on this specification, and it is clear that such changes or modifications also fall within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

10: Water purifier 100: Water outlet
200: Filter 300: Purifier Tank
400: Sterilization tank 500: Sterilization module
600: Cold water tank 700: Flow channel
710: Purified water supply path 720: Purified water discharge path
730: Export of purified water 740: Export of discharged water
750: Sterilization treatment water supply route 760: Discharge route
770: Raw water inlet path 800: Valve module
810: Purification valve 820: Sterilization treatment water valve
830: Cold water valve 900: Controller

Claims (9)

A discharge port for discharging water to the outside;
A filter that filters raw water to provide purified water;
Sterilizing tank for receiving purified water;
A sterilizing module that sterilizes purified water contained in the above sterilizing tank;
A flow channel connected to the above-mentioned outlet, the above-mentioned filter, and the above-mentioned sterilizing tank to provide a passage through which purified water and sterilized water flow;
A valve module including one or more valves that are selectively opened and closed to control the flow of purified and sterilized water in the above flow channel; and
A controller for controlling the valve module based on a plurality of flow modes,
The above multiple flow modes are:
It includes a sterilized untreated water discharge mode in which purified water not sterilized by the sterilization module is discharged as sterilized untreated water to the discharge port, and a sterilized treated water discharge mode in which purified water sterilized by the sterilization module is discharged as sterilized treated water to the discharge port.
When the user selects the volume of water to be discharged from the above outlet,
The above controller,
When the water volume selected by the user is greater than the critical volume, the valve module is controlled based on the sterilized untreated water export mode,
When the water volume selected by the user is less than the critical volume, the valve module is controlled based on the sterilization treatment water export mode.
water purifier. In paragraph 1,
The above sterilization module includes a UV lamp,
The above sterilization module irradiates UV light at a predetermined intensity to the purified water contained in the above sterilization tank,
The above predetermined intensity is the intensity at which more than 90% of bacteria are killed when exposed to UV light for 1 minute at room temperature.
water purifier. In paragraph 1,
It further includes a water tank that accommodates the water,
The above water purification tank has a capacity greater than that of the above sterilization tank,
In the above sterilized untreated water export mode, the purified water contained in the water purification tank is discharged as sterilized untreated water through the water outlet.
water purifier. In the third paragraph,
The above flow channel is,
A purified water supply path connected to the above filter and the above water tank and providing a passage through which purified water provided by the filter flows into the above water tank;
A purified water discharge path connected to the above-mentioned water tank and the above-mentioned sterilization tank and providing a passage through which purified water inside the above-mentioned water tank flows to the above-mentioned sterilization tank;
A purified water discharge path connected to the above purified water tank and the outlet to provide a passage for purified water inside the above purified water tank to flow to the outlet; and
It includes an exhaust water discharge path that is connected to the sterilization tank and the outlet and provides a passage for the sterilized water inside the sterilization tank to flow to the outlet.
The above purified water discharge route is configured so as not to pass through the above sterilization tank.
water purifier. In paragraph 4,
The above valve module,
A purification valve that opens and closes to allow or restrict the flow of purified water within the purification outlet; and
Including a sterilization treatment water valve that opens and closes to allow or restrict the flow of sterilization treatment water within the above discharge export channel.
water purifier. In paragraph 5,
It further includes a cold water tank that cools the sterilized water and provides cold water.
The above flow channel is,
A sterilization treatment water supply path providing a passage through which the sterilization treatment water in the sterilization tank flows to the cold water tank; and
It further includes a discharge passage that provides a passage for cold water in the cold water tank to flow to the discharge port,
The above valve module,
Further comprising a cold water valve that opens and closes to allow or restrict the flow of cold water within the above outlet passage.
water purifier. In paragraph 6,
The above sterilization tank is arranged so that the water level of the sterilized water contained in the sterilization tank is lower than the water level of the purified water contained in the purification tank.
The purified water in the above water purification tank flows into the sterilization tank due to the water level difference between the sterilization tank and the water purification tank.
water purifier. In paragraph 6,
The above cold water tank is arranged so that the level of cold water contained in the cold water tank is lower than the level of sterilized water contained in the sterilization tank.
The sterilization treatment water in the above sterilization tank flows into the cold water tank due to the water level difference between the cold water tank and the sterilization tank.
water purifier. In paragraph 6,
When the sterilized water in the above sterilization tank is discharged through the discharge port,
The purified water flows into the above sterilization tank,
When purified water flows into the sterilization tank, the sterilization module operates at a predetermined sterilization start cycle for the sterilization time from the time when the purified water flows into the sterilization tank.
When the sterilization time has elapsed from the time when the purified water flows into the sterilization tank, the sterilization module is operated for each sterilization maintenance cycle that is longer than the sterilization start cycle.
water purifier.

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