U.S. patent application number 13/634761 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for water storage and discharge apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ji-Hoon Kang, Eung-sam Lee, Jin-Hwan Noh, Kwon-Il Park. Invention is credited to Ji-Hoon Kang, Eung-sam Lee, Jin-Hwan Noh, Kwon-Il Park.
Application Number | 20130026195 13/634761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44712415 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130026195 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Kwon-Il ; et
al. |
January 31, 2013 |
WATER STORAGE AND DISCHARGE APPARATUS
Abstract
Disclosed is a water storage and discharge apparatus that
includes a storage tank for storing water inflow connected to an
inlet pipe and an outlet pipe; a discharge member connected to the
outlet pipe; and a pressure maintenance means for maintaining
pressure of the storage tank at atmospheric pressure or higher, to
discharge of water through the discharge member irrespective of
discharge member height, including a pump connected to the storage
tank and a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure inside the
storage tank. Stored water can be discharged irrespective of the
height of a discharge member such as a cock, a faucet or the like,
and the height of a discharge member can be freely adjusted to
place a discharge member at a height convenient to use the
discharge member.
Inventors: |
Park; Kwon-Il; (Gwanak-gu,
KR) ; Noh; Jin-Hwan; (Gwanak-gu, KR) ; Lee;
Eung-sam; (Gwanak-gu, KR) ; Kang; Ji-Hoon;
(Gwanak-gu, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Park; Kwon-Il
Noh; Jin-Hwan
Lee; Eung-sam
Kang; Ji-Hoon |
Gwanak-gu
Gwanak-gu
Gwanak-gu
Gwanak-gu |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
44712415 |
Appl. No.: |
13/634761 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 29, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2010/006610 |
371 Date: |
September 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/394 ;
222/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/394 ;
222/63 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0028643 |
Claims
1. A water storage and discharge apparatus comprising: a storage
tank connected to an inlet pipe allowing water to be introduced
therethrough to store the introduced water, and connected to an
outlet pipe to allow discharge of the stored water; a discharge
member connected to the outlet pipe for dispensing water stored in
the storage tank; and a pressure maintenance means including a pump
connected to the storage tank and a pressure sensor for sensing a
pressure of an interior of the storage tank, to maintain the
pressure of the interior of the storage tank equal to or higher
than atmospheric pressure to allow the water to be dispensed
through the discharge member regardless of a height thereof.
2. The water storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the pressure sensor is configured to externally indicate a sensed
pressure of the interior of the storage tank, and the pump is a
hand pump manually supplying ambient air to the storage tank.
3. The water storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising a controller electrically connected to the pump and the
pressure sensor to operate the pump according to the pressure
sensed by the pressure sensor, wherein the pump is an automatic
pump operated by the controller to supply ambient air to the
storage tank.
4. The water storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein an
air vent valve is connected to the storage tank to expel air
present in the storage tank when water is introduced to the storage
tank.
5. The water storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein a
check valve is provided in an air supply pipe connecting the pump
and the storage tank.
6. The water storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the air supply pipe connecting the pump and the storage tank
includes an air filter for filtering air.
7. The water storage and discharge apparatus of claim 5, wherein
the air supply pipe connecting the pump and the storage tank
includes an air filter for filtering air.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a water storage and
discharge apparatus capable of dispensing stored water irrespective
of a height of a discharge member such as a cock, a faucet, or the
like.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A water storage and discharge apparatus is a device
dispensing stored water to the outside thereof.
[0003] Such a water storage and discharge apparatus may be provided
in a water purifier, or the like. A water storage and discharge
apparatus provided in a water purifier stores water which has been
filtered through a filter unit including a plurality of water
purifying filters and dispenses the water to be supplied to a
user.
[0004] To this end, a water storage and discharge apparatus
includes a storage tank storing water, and a discharge member such
as a cock, a faucet, or the like, connected to the storage tank and
dispensing water stored in the storage tank.
[0005] Meanwhile, in the case of a water storage and discharge
apparatus provided in a reverse osmosis type water purifier, since
a relatively small amount of water is filtered through a filter
unit, a storage tank to collect filtered water and dispense the
same to the outside is essential. Also, since the storage tank does
not have a pressurizing unit such as a pump, or the like, the
discharge member is required to be positioned on a lower end
portion of the storage tank or thereunder in order to allow water
which has been introduced to and stored in the storage tank to be
dispensed through the discharge member. Namely, water stored in the
storage tank is dispensed to the outside through the discharge
member by a difference in height between water stored in the
storage tank and the discharge member.
[0006] Thus, the height of the discharge member is limited, to
allow water stored in the storage tank to be dispensed through the
discharge member. Namely, the discharge member is not free in terms
of the height thereof when positioned in the water storage and
discharge apparatus. Also, since the height of the discharge member
is limited, the discharge member may be positioned at an
inconvenient height for a user, forcing the user to bend down
toward the water dispensing device.
[0007] Meanwhile, a hot water storage tank having a heater or a
cold water storage tank having an evaporator may be connected to
the storage tank. In the case that a hot water storage tank or a
cold water storage tank is connected to the storage tank, if a
discharge member is disposed in a high position, respective outlet
pipes through which, water, heated water and cooled water flow out
require a pump in order to dispense water, heated water, or cooled
water through the discharge member. This increases product unit
manufacturing costs.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0008] The present invention is based upon recognition of at least
any one of the requirements or problems in relation to the related
art water storage and discharge apparatus.
[0009] An aspect of the present invention provides a water storage
and discharge apparatus that dispenses stored water to the outside
irrespective of a height of a discharge member such as a cock, a
faucet, or the like.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a water
storage and discharge apparatus that allows a discharge member such
as a cock, a faucet, or the like, to be freely set in terms of the
height thereof.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides a water
storage and discharge apparatus that includes a discharge member
such as a cock, a faucet, or the like, positioned at a convenient
height for a user.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides a water
storage and discharge apparatus that dispenses water stored in a
storage tank, water heated in a hot water storage tank, water
cooled in a cold water storage tank, and the like, using a single
pump.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a water
storage and discharge apparatus that incurs low product unit
cost.
Technical Solution
[0014] A water storage and discharge apparatus in relation to an
embodiment for accomplishing at least one of the objects may have
the following characteristics.
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention are based on enabling a
storage tank to maintain a level of pressure equal to or higher
than atmospheric pressure to allow water stored in the storage tank
to be expelled or dispensed to the outside regardless of a height
of a discharge member such as a cock, a faucet, or the like.
[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a water storage and discharge apparatus including: a
storage tank to which an inlet pipe allowing water to be introduced
therethrough is connected, storing introduced water, and to which
an outlet pipe allowing stored water to flow out therethrough is
connected; a discharge member connected to the outlet pipe and
dispensing water stored in the storage tank to the outside; and a
pressure maintenance means including a pump connected to the
storage tank and a pressure sensor sensing a pressure of the
interior of the storage tank, such that the pressure of the
interior of the storage tank is maintained to be equal to or higher
than atmospheric pressure to allow water to be dispensed through
the discharge member regardless of a height thereof.
[0017] The pressure sensor may be configured to externally indicate
a sensed pressure of the interior of the storage tank, and the pump
may be a hand pump manually supplying ambient air to the storage
tank.
[0018] The water storage and discharge apparatus may further
include a controller electrically connected to the pump and the
pressure sensor and operating the pump according to a pressure
sensed by the pressure sensor, and the pump may be an automatic
pump operated by the controller to supply ambient air to the
storage tank.
[0019] An air vent valve may be connected to the storage tank to
expel air present in the storage tank to the outside when water is
introduced to the storage tank.
[0020] A check valve may be provided in an air supply pipe
connecting the pump and the storage tank.
[0021] The air supply pipe connecting the pump and the storage tank
may include an air filter for filtering air.
Advantageous Effects
[0022] As set forth above, according to embodiments of the
invention, stored water can be dispensed to the outside
irrespective of a height of a discharge member such as a cock, a
faucet, or the like.
[0023] Also, a height of the discharge member such as a cock, a
faucet, or the like, can be freely set.
[0024] In addition, the discharge member such as a cock, a faucet,
or the like, may be positioned at a convenient height for a
user.
[0025] In addition, water stored in a storage tank, water heated in
a hot water storage tank, water cooled in a cold water storage
tank, and the like, may be dispensed using a single pump.
[0026] In addition, product unit cost can be reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a water storage and discharge
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0028] FIGS. 2 through 4 are views illustrating an operation of the
water storage and discharge apparatus provided in a water purifier
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0029] In order to help understand features of the present
invention, a water storage and discharge apparatus according to
embodiments of the preset invention will be described in
detail.
[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set
forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0031] In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions of elements may
be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be
used throughout to designate the same or like components.
[0032] Embodiments related to the present invention are based on
enabling a storage tank to maintain a level of pressure equal to or
higher than atmospheric pressure to allow water stored in the
storage tank to be expelled or dispensed to the outside regardless
of a height of a discharge member such as a cock, a faucet, or the
like.
[0033] As shown in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a water
storage and discharge apparatus 100 according to the present
invention may include a storage tank 200, a discharge member 300,
and a pressure maintenance means 400.
[0034] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, an inlet
pipe 210 may be connected to the storage tank 200. The inlet pipe
210 may be connected to a water source (not shown). Thus, water
supplied from the water source may be introduced to and stored in
the storage tank 200. For example, when the water storage and
discharge apparatus 100 is provided in a water purifier P, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the water source may be a filter
unit F including a plurality of water purifying filters to filter
introduced water. Water filtered by the filter unit F may be
introduced to the storage tank 200 through the inlet pipe 210 and
stored therein. However, the water source is not limited to the
filter unit F as illustrated and any device that may be connected
to the inlet pipe 210 to supply water may be used as a water
source.
[0035] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, an outlet
pipe 220 may be connected to the storage tank 200. Water stored in
the storage tank 200 may flow out through the outlet pipe 220.
Also, an air vent valve 230 may be connected to the storage tank
200 as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. When water is
introduced to the storage tank 200, air present in the storage tank
200 may be expelled by the air vent valve 230. Accordingly, water
may be smoothly introduced to the storage tank 200 through the
inlet pipe 210. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a full
water level sensor 240 and a low water level sensor 250 are
provided to sense a full water level and a low water level of the
storage tank 200.
[0036] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
discharge member 300 may be connected to the outlet pipe 220. Thus,
water stored in the storage tank 200 flowing out through the outlet
pipe 220 may be dispensed through the discharge member 300 so as to
be supplied to a user. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, when
the discharge member 300 is provided in the water purifier P, the
discharge member 300 may be a cock, a faucet, or the like. However,
the discharge member 300 is not limited thereto and any element
which is connected to the outlet pipe 220 and dispenses water
stored in the storage tank 200 to the user may be used as the
discharge member.
[0037] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
pressure maintenance means 400 may include a pump 410 connected to
the storage tank 200 and a pressure sensor 420 sensing a pressure
within the storage tank 200. A pressure equal to or higher than
atmospheric pressure may be maintained in the storage tank 200 by
means of the pressure maintenance means 400. Thus, regardless of a
height of the discharge member 300 such as a cock, faucet, or the
like, water may be dispensed through the discharge member 300.
[0038] The pressure sensor 420 may be configured to externally
indicate a sensed pressure within the storage tank 200. For
example, the pressure sensor 420 may be configured to externally
indicate a sensed pressure within the storage tank 200 by rotating
a hand (or a needle) or externally indicate a number corresponding
to a sensed pressure within the storage tank 200. Thus, a user may
be able to ascertain a pressure within the storage tank 200 by the
pressure sensor 420 having the foregoing configuration. In such a
case, the pump 410 may be a hand pump. Accordingly, ambient air may
be passively supplied to the storage tank 200 by the user. Namely,
when the sensed pressure of the interior of the storage tank 200
indicated by the pressure sensor 420 is below atmospheric pressure
or a predetermined pressure, the user may manually operate the pump
410. Then, ambient air may be supplied to the storage tank 200
according to the user's operation of the pump 410 to increase
pressure within the storage tank 200 to atmospheric pressure, the
predetermined pressure or higher.
[0039] Besides, the water storage and discharge apparatus 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention may further
include a controller (not shown). The controller may be
electrically connected to the pump 410 and the pressure sensor 420.
Thus, the controller may operate the pump 410 according to the
pressure of the interior of the storage tank 200 sensed by the
pressure sensor 420. In this case, the pump 410 may be an automatic
pump operated by the controller to supply ambient air to the
storage tank 200. Thus, when the pressure of the interior of the
storage tank 200 sensed by the pressure sensor 420 is below
atmospheric pressure or a predetermined pressure, the controller
may operate the pump 410. Thus, ambient air may be supplied to the
storage tank 200 according to the operation of the pump 410 by the
controller to increase the pressure of the interior of the storage
tank 200 to atmospheric pressure or the predetermined pressure or
higher.
[0040] Meanwhile, when ambient air is supplied to the storage tank
by the pump 410, the air vent valve 230 connected to the storage
tank 200 is shut.
[0041] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the pump
410 and the storage tank 200 may be connected by the air supply
pipe 411. Also, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, a check
valve 412 may be provided in the air supply pipe 411. By the
presence of the check valve 412, air may be supplied to the storage
tank 200 from the outside, but air may not be expelled to the
outside from the storage tank 200. Thus, air may be smoothly
supplied to the storage tank 200 by virtue of the pump 410.
[0042] Also, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, an
air filter 413 for filtering air may be provided in the air supply
pipe 411. Thus, as described above, when ambient air is supplied to
the storage tank 200 by the pump 410, air may be filtered by the
air filter 413. Thus, the storage tank 200 can be prevented from
being contaminated due to an introduction of external contaminants
thereto.
[0043] An operation of the water storage and discharge apparatus
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4.
[0044] Hereinafter, a case in which the water storage and discharge
apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention
is provided in the water purifier P will be taken as an example.
When the water storage and discharge apparatus 100 is provided in
the water purifier P according to an embodiment of the present
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the inlet pipe 210
of the storage tank 200 is connected to the filter unit F of the
water purifier P which includes a plurality of water purifying
filters to filter introduced water.
[0045] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the storage
tank 200 may be connected to a hot water storage tank W having a
heater H to heat introduced water or a cold water storage tank C
having an evaporator E to cool introduced heat. Thus, water stored
in the storage tank 200, water heated by the hot water storage tank
W, or water cooled in the cold water storage tank C may be
dispensed to the outside through the discharge member 300 by the
single pump 410. However, besides the hot water storage tank W or
the cold water storage tank C as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4,
an ionized water storage tank (not shown), or the like, may also be
connected to the storage tank 200.
[0046] First, when a low water level of the storage tank 200 is
sensed by the low water level sensor 250, an opening and closing
valve (V) is opened by the user or the controller (not shown)
connected to the low water level sensor 250. Accordingly, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, water is introduced to the filter unit F and
filtered by the plurality of water purifying filters included in
the filter unit F. The filtered water is introduced to the storage
tank 200 through the inlet pipe 210 connected to the filter unit F
and stored therein. As described above and illustrated in FIG. 2,
while water introduced through the inlet pipe 210 is stored in the
storage tank 200, the air vent valve 230 connected to the storage
tank 200 is kept open by the user or the controller. Accordingly,
air present in the storage tank 200 is expelled to the outside, and
thus, water may be smoothly introduced to the storage tank 200
through the inlet pipe 210.
[0047] Meanwhile, water introduced to and stored in the storage
tank 200 may be introduced to the hot water storage tank W so as to
be heated by the heater H or may be introduced to the cold water
storage tank C so as to be cooled by the evaporator E.
[0048] When the water introduced through the inlet pipe 210 and
stored in the storage tank 200 reaches a full water level of the
storage tank 200 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the full water level
sensor 240 senses it. Accordingly, the opening and closing valve V
and the air vent valve 230 are shut by the user or a controller
connected to the full water level sensor 240.
[0049] When a pressure of the interior of the storage tank 200
indicated or sensed by the pressure sensor 420 is below atmospheric
pressure or a predetermined pressure, the pump 410 is operated by
the user or the controller. Accordingly, ambient air is supplied
into the storage tank 200 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Accordingly,
the pressure within the storage tank 200 is increased. When the
increased pressure within the storage tank 200 reaches atmospheric
pressure or the predetermined pressure or higher, it is indicated
or sensed by the pressure sensor 420. Then, the user or the
controller stops operation of the pump 410. Thus, the pressure
within the storage tank 200 may be equal to or higher than
atmospheric pressure or the predetermined pressure.
[0050] Meanwhile, as described above, the check valve 412 may be
provided in the air supply pipe 411 connecting the pump 410 and the
storage tank 200. Thus, air in the interior of the storage tank 200
cannot be expelled to the outside through the air supply pipe 411.
Also, the air supply pipe 411 may include the air filter 413. Thus,
when ambient air is supplied to the storage tank 200 by the pump
410, the ambient air may be filtered by the air filter 413 and
supplied to the storage tank 200. Thus, external contaminants
cannot be introduced to the storage tank 200, and thus, the storage
tank 200 can be prevented from being contaminated.
[0051] Thereafter, when the discharge member 300 is opened by the
user or the controller, as illustrated in FIG. 4, water stored in
the storage tank 200 may be dispensed to the outside through the
discharge member 300 by the pressure of the interior of the storage
tank 200 so as to be supplied to the user.
[0052] Also, water heated in the hot water storage tank W or water
cooled in the cold water storage tank C may also be dispensed by
the pressure of the interior of the storage tank 200 to the outside
through the discharge member 300 and supplied to the user.
[0053] Meanwhile, as mentioned above, while water stored in the
storage tank 200, water heated in the hot water storage tank W, or
water cooled in the cold water storage tank C is being dispensed
through the discharge member 300, a pressure of the storage tank
200 sensed by the pressure sensor 420 may be lower than atmospheric
pressure or the predetermined pressure. In this case, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, the pump 410 is operated by the user or the
controller to supply ambient air to the storage tank 200 to
increase the pressure of the interior of the storage tank 200 to
atmospheric pressure or the predetermined pressure or higher.
Accordingly, water stored in the storage tank 200, water heated in
the hot water storage tank W, or water cooled in the cold water
storage tank C may be dispensed through the discharge member 300,
regardless of the height of the discharge member 300.
[0054] While water stored in the storage tank 200 is being
dispensed through the discharge member 300, when a low water level
of the storage tank 200 is sensed by the low water level sensor
250, the discharge member 300 is shut and the opening and closing
valve V and the air vent valve 230 are opened by the user or the
controller. Accordingly, air present within the storage tank 200 is
expelled to the outside and water is introduced to the storage tank
200 and stored therein.
[0055] As described above, when the water storage and discharge
apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention
is used, stored water may be dispensed to the outside irrespective
of the height of the discharge member 300 such as a cock, a faucet,
or the like, and thus, the height of the discharge member 300 such
as a cock, a faucet, or the like, may be freely set and the
discharge member 300 such as a cock, a faucet, or the like, may be
positioned at a convenient height for the user.
[0056] Also, water stored in the storage tank 200, water heated in
the hot water storage tank W, water cooled in the cold water
storage tank C, or the like, may be dispensed by the single pump
410 and product unit cost can be reduced.
[0057] The water storage and discharge apparatus according to
embodiments of the present invention as described above is not
limited in its application of configurations and methods, but the
entirety or a portion of the embodiments may selectively be
combined to be configured to have various forms.
[0058] While the present invention has been shown and described in
connection with the embodiments, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *