RU2836786C2 - Drinking water dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: dispensing, delivering, or transferring liquids.

SUBSTANCE: disclosed group of inventions relates to drinking water dispensers and, in particular, to drinking water dispensers connected to an external water source and equipped with a device for disinfecting the dispenser using hot water. Drinking water dispenser (1) comprises inlet pipeline (2) for connection to external water source (25), inlet solenoid valve (3) installed in inlet pipeline (2), cold water tank (6) equipped with cooling device (9), hot water tank (8) equipped with heater (10) and installed below cold water tank (6), cold water outlet pipeline (11) connecting cold water tank (6) with cold water outlet (13), hot water outlet pipeline (14) connecting hot water tank (8) with hot water outlet (16), first pipeline (5) connecting inlet pipeline (2) to cold water tank (6), circulating pump (24) for circulating hot water in disinfection mode. Dispenser (1) is equipped with circulation pipeline (19) connecting hot water outlet pipeline (14) with cold water outlet pipeline (11), check valve (20) installed in circulation pipeline (19), passing water from outlet pipeline for hot water (14) to outlet pipeline for cold water (11) and preventing water passage in reverse direction, one or more temperature sensors for controlling temperature of hot water. First pipeline (5) is connected to cold water tank (6) through vertical tube (26) installed in cold water tank (6) with open upper end (27), the lower end of which (28) is connected to first pipeline (5). Dispenser (1) additionally contains second pipeline (7) connecting inlet pipeline (2) with hot water tank (8). Disclosed dispenser is subjected to disinfection, including switching off cooling device (9), switching on circulation pump (24) for pumping water from cold water tank to hot water tank, water heating in hot water tank by means of heater (10), control of hot water temperature and disconnection of heater (10) when hot water temperature reaches preset value, hot water circulation in dispenser.

EFFECT: improved operation of the dispenser disinfection system, more complete treatment of the dispenser with hot water, as well as simplified design of the dispenser and increased reliability thereof.

10 cl, 3 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to drinking water dispensers and, in particular, to drinking water dispensers connected to an external water source and equipped with a device for disinfecting the dispenser using hot water.

KNOWN PRIOR ART

Drinking water dispensers connected to an external source are known. If the external water source is a water supply, such dispensers may contain an additional system for cleaning tap water, such as carbon filters. Usually, such dispensers also contain devices for cooling and heating water.

In this case, water from an external source is supplied to a cold tank, and then from the cold tank it enters a hot tank, which is located below the cold tank. This scheme is convenient because water flows out of the dispenser under the action of gravity and the pressure in the outlet taps of hot and cold water is the same.

Drinking water dispensers connected to an external source require regular disinfection to remove microbiological contamination inside the dispenser that occurs naturally, especially if the tap water purification system removes chlorine from the tap water. Disinfection can be done with chemicals, ozone and high temperature. It is known to use hot water to disinfect the dispenser, when hot water is pumped from a hot tank into a cold tank to disinfect it.

Known is a hot and cold water dispenser KR 101358073 B1, which comprises a cold water tank, a hot water tank located below the cold water tank, a connecting pipeline connecting the cold water tank to the hot water tank; a pump located in the connecting pipeline and pumping water from the hot water tank to the cold water tank; a drain pipeline for draining water from the cold water tank into the sewer; and a control device that drains hot water from the cold water tank upon completion of the disinfection process of the cold water tank.

During the disinfection process, hot water flows from the hot water tank to the cold water tank through the connecting pipeline using a pump installed in the connecting pipeline and returns back to the hot water tank through the same pipeline under the force of gravity when the pump is turned off. The disadvantage of such a dispenser is that only the cold water tank is treated with hot water, and the inlet pipeline through which tap water is supplied to the cold water tank and the outlet pipeline through which cold water is dispensed to the consumer remain untreated. Another disadvantage is that it is necessary to drain the water from the cold tank into the sewer before and after disinfection.

A dispenser KR 101818711 B1 is known, which comprises a cold water tank, a hot water tank located below the cold water tank, a connecting pipeline connecting the cold water tank to the hot water tank; a drain pipeline for draining water from the cold water tank into the sewer; an outlet pipeline through which cold water is dispensed to the consumer through a first solenoid valve installed in the outlet pipeline, an additional pipeline connecting the hot water tank and the first solenoid valve, wherein the additional pipeline is equipped with a circulation pump and a second solenoid valve for connection to the first solenoid valve.

During the disinfection process, hot water flows from the hot water tank through an additional pipeline, the first and second solenoid valves and the cold water outlet pipeline into the cold water tank under the action of the circulation pump, and returns back to the hot water tank through the connecting pipeline under the action of gravity. The disadvantage of such a dispenser is that only the cold water tank and the cold water outlet pipeline are treated, and the inlet pipeline through which tap water is supplied to the cold water tank remains untreated. Another disadvantage is the complication of the dispenser design due to the introduction of an additional pipeline and an additional solenoid valve to ensure the circulation of hot water in the dispenser disinfection mode.

Another disadvantage is that when disinfecting the dispenser, the outlet pipe and the hot water outlet remain untreated, and that if the dispenser is not in use for a long time, due to stagnant water, this will have adverse microbiological consequences.

The objectives of the invention are to improve the operation of the dispenser disinfection system, more complete treatment of the dispenser with hot water, as well as simplify the design of the dispenser and increase its reliability.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The technical result is achieved in a drinking water dispenser comprising an inlet pipeline for connection to an external water source; an inlet solenoid valve installed in the inlet pipeline; a cold water tank equipped with a cooling device; a hot water tank equipped with a heater and installed below the cold water tank; an outlet pipeline for cold water connecting the cold water tank to a cold water outlet; an outlet pipeline for hot water connecting the hot water tank to a hot water outlet; a first pipeline connecting the inlet pipeline to the cold water tank; and a circulation pump for ensuring circulation of hot water in the disinfection mode. In this case, the first pipeline is connected to the cold water tank via a vertical tube with an open upper end installed in the cold water tank, the lower end of which is connected to the first pipeline, and the dispenser additionally comprises a second pipeline connecting the inlet pipeline to the hot water tank; a circulation pipeline connecting the outlet pipeline for hot water to the outlet pipeline for cold water; a check valve installed in the circulation pipe that allows water to flow from the hot water outlet pipe to the cold water outlet pipe and does not allow water to flow in the opposite direction.

This dispenser design, in particular this method of supplying water to cold and hot water tanks, allows for the simplicity of the dispenser design and the simplicity of switching the dispenser to the disinfection mode. To switch the dispenser from the standby mode of water dispensing readiness (stand-by) to the disinfection mode, it is sufficient to turn off the cooling device and turn on the circulation pump, while additional switching of pipelines is not required.

Preferably, the circulation pump is installed in the second pipeline. Installing the circulation pump in the second pipeline at the inlet to the hot water tank allows improving the thermal mode of the pump operation in the disinfection mode (water temperature 70 degrees Celsius) compared to the option of placing the pump at the outlet of the hot tank (water temperature 95-100 degrees Celsius). And installing the pump in the first pipeline is undesirable, since during the operation of the dispenser, the pump located in the first pipeline will be a possible place for the development of microbiological contamination.

Preferably, the dispenser comprises a cold water outlet solenoid valve installed in the cold water outlet pipe and a hot water outlet solenoid valve installed in the hot water outlet pipe. The presence of the solenoids outlet valves makes it easy to control the operation of the dispenser using an internal controller.

It is convenient to equip the dispenser with a steam outlet pipe connecting the top of the hot water tank and the top of the cold water tank to remove excess steam generated when heating water in the hot water tank. In this case, it is advisable to install an additional solenoid valve in the steam outlet pipe to close the steam outlet pipe in the dispenser disinfection mode. Closing the steam outlet pipe allows you to increase the pressure in the hot water tank and thereby increase the flow of hot water through the check valve. At the same time, preventing hot water from flowing through the steam outlet pipe into the cold water tank.

A method for disinfecting the dispenser is also proposed. When disinfecting the dispenser, firstly, the cooling device of the cold water tank is switched off, and secondly, the circulation pump is switched on, providing circulation of hot water from the hot water tank, through the outlet pipe for hot water, through the check valve, through the outlet pipe for cold water into the cold water tank and from the cold water tank through the vertical tube installed in the cold water tank, through the first inlet pipe, the second inlet pipe and the circulation pump back to the hot water tank. As a result, all the circulating water is heated to the set temperature for disinfection. Circulation of hot water through the pipes and the cold water tank leads to cleaning both the cold water tank and the pipes from microbiological contaminants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows an example of the implementation of a dispenser.

Fig. 2 shows a variant of the dispenser implementation.

Fig. 3 shows the connection of the circulation pipeline.

DESCRIPTION OF AN IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLE

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a drinking water dispenser. Dispenser 1 is connected to an external water source 25, such as a water supply, through a main inlet pipeline 2. The external source may be any source from which water is supplied under pressure, a water supply, a reservoir with a pump, a pump pumping water from a well, a tap water purification system, etc. An inlet solenoid valve 3 is installed in the inlet pipeline 2. If necessary, a filter 4 can be installed in the inlet pipeline 2 for additional purification of water supplied to dispenser 1. The filter 4 is installed before the inlet solenoid valve 3. After the inlet solenoid valve 3, the inlet pipeline 2, through the first pipeline 5, is connected to the cold water tank 6, and through the second pipeline 7, in which the circulation pump 24 is installed, to the hot water tank 8. The cold water tank 6 is connected to the first pipeline 5 through a vertical tube 26 located in the cold water tank 6, the lower end 28 of which is connected to the first pipeline 5, and the upper open end 27 is located at a given height from the bottom of the tank 6, below a given water level in the tank 6.

Supplying water to the cold water tank 6 from below allows to simplify the design of the dispenser and to ensure disinfection with hot water of the pipeline through which water is supplied to the tank 6. In this case, firstly, the supply of water through the vertical tube 26 ensures the supply of uncooled water from the water supply to the upper part of the tank 6. Secondly, in the hot water dispensing mode, with low water pressure in the inlet pipeline 2, the water coming from the cold water tank 5 to the hot water tank 8 will be taken from the upper part of the tank 6, where the water is less cold. And thirdly, in the disinfection mode, the inflow of hot water through the outlet pipeline 11, and the outflow through the upper open end 27 of the vertical tube 26 ensures the mixing of hot water in the tank 6, which improves its disinfection.

The cold water tank 6 is provided with a cooling device 9, and the hot water tank is provided with a heater 10. The cold water tank 6 is connected to the cold water outlet 13 via the cold water outlet pipe 11 and via the cold water outlet solenoid valve 12. Accordingly, the hot water tank 8 is connected to the hot water outlet 16 via the hot water outlet pipe 14 and via the hot water outlet solenoid valve 15. The hot water tank 8 is connected to the cold water tank 6 via the steam outlet pipe 17. The hot water outlet pipe 14 is connected to the cold water outlet pipe 11 via the circulation pipe 19. A check valve 20 is installed in the circulation pipe 19, which allows water to pass, at a certain pressure, from the hot water outlet pipe 14 into the cold water outlet pipe 11 and does not allow water to pass in the opposite direction, i.e. from the cold water pipeline 11 to the hot water pipeline 14. To ensure circulation of hot water in the dispenser disinfection mode, a circulation pump 24 is installed in the second pipeline 7 in front of the hot water tank 8.

The cold water tank 6 is connected to the surrounding air space via the air duct 21. An air filter 22 is installed in the air duct 21. The filter 22 can be additionally equipped with a device for sterilizing the outside air entering the dispenser. The cold water tank 6 is also equipped with a water level sensor 23.

The hot water tank 8 is installed below the cold water tank 6. The hot water tank 8 is connected to the cold water tank 6 via the steam outlet pipe 17. When the dispenser is operating, the hot water tank 8 is completely filled with water, while in the cold water tank 6 the lower part of the tank 6 is filled with water, and in the upper part of the tank 6 there is air. Thus, the excess steam that occurs when heating the water in the hot water tank 8 is discharged through the steam outlet pipe 17 into the air space of the cold water tank 6. And the excess air pressure that occurs in the cold water tank 6 is discharged into the outside air via the air duct 21.

Inlet solenoid valve 3, outlet solenoid valve for cold water 12 and outlet solenoid valve for hot water 15 are normally closed.

The dispenser operates as follows. After connecting the dispenser 1 via the inlet pipe 2 to the water source 25 and turning on the dispenser 1, the inlet solenoid valve 3 opens, while the outlet solenoid valve for cold water 12 and the outlet solenoid valve for hot water 15 are closed. Water from the external source 25 enters the dispenser 1 and, after the inlet solenoid valve 3, through the second pipe 7 enters the hot water tank 8, and through the first pipe 5 and the vertical pipe 26 into the cold water tank 6. The air displaced under the pressure of the water from the hot water tank 8 enters the air space of the cold water tank 6 through the steam outlet pipe 17, and from there through the air duct 21 to the outside. Water from the external source 25 simultaneously enters both tanks 6 and 8, but since the hot water tank 8 is located below the cold water tank 6, it is filled first. When the water level in the cold water tank 6 reaches a predetermined level determined by the water level sensor 23, the inlet solenoid valve 3 closes. After this, the water in the cold water tank 6 is cooled to a predetermined temperature by means of the cooling device 9, and the water in the hot water tank 8 is heated to a predetermined temperature by means of the heater 10. When the predetermined temperatures of cold and hot water are reached, the dispenser is ready for operation and goes into stand-by mode.

When dispensing cold water, the outlet solenoid valve for cold water 12 opens and water from the cold water tank 6 through the outlet pipeline for cold water 11 enters the outlet for cold water 13. When the water level in the cold water tank 6 falls below the set value determined by the water level sensor 23, the inlet solenoid valve 3 opens and water from the external source 25 through the first pipeline 5, through the vertical tube 26 enters the cold water tank 6, filling it to the set water level value.

When dispensing hot water, the outlet solenoid valve for hot water 15 opens, simultaneously with it the inlet solenoid valve 3 opens, water from the external source 25, through the second pipeline 7, enters the hot water tank 8, and, under the pressure of the incoming water, water from the hot water tank 8 through the outlet pipeline for hot water 14 enters the outlet for hot water 16. In the event that the water pressure from the external source 25 is insufficient to ensure the flow of hot water flowing out of the dispenser 1, water from the cold water tank 6 will also flow into the hot water tank 8 through the vertical tube 26, the first pipeline 5 and the second pipeline 7, thereby ensuring the necessary flow of outgoing hot water.

When the water pressure from the external source 25 drops, the cold water tank 6, which is located above the hot water tank 8, acts as a water tower, maintaining the required pressure in the hot water tank 8. This allows for the required water flow to be provided at the hot water outlet 16.

In order that in the hot water dispensing mode, at normal water pressure coming from the external source 25, water does not enter the cold water tank 6, the diameter of the first pipeline 5 is made somewhat smaller than the diameter of the second pipeline 7. It is also possible to install in the first pipeline 5 an additional normally-open solenoid valve 29, as shown in the dispenser variant depicted in Fig. 2, which will close in the hot water dispensing mode at normal pressure from the external source 25, and open in this mode only when the pressure from the external source 25 drops.

Disinfection mode. In this mode, the normally closed solenoids: inlet solenoid 3, outlet solenoid for cold water 12 and outlet solenoid for hot water 14 remain closed. Cooling device 9 is switched off. The circulation pump 24 located in the inlet pipeline for hot water 7 is switched on, pumping water from the cold water tank 6 into the hot water tank 8, from where the water, under pressure created by the pump 24, enters the outlet pipeline for hot water 14, then through the circulation pipeline 19 with the check valve 20 into the outlet pipeline for cold water 11, then into the cold water tank 6, and through the vertical tube 26, the first pipeline 5 and the second pipeline 7 the water returns to the pump 24. The water circulating in the dispenser 1, passing through the hot water tank 8, is heated by means of the heater 10. After the water has heated up to the specified temperature, the circulation of hot water continues for a specified time. The circulation time and water temperature are determined depending on the operating conditions of dispenser 1. For example, circulation of water heated to 67-80 degrees Celsius for one to two hours can be carried out once a week to maintain microbiological purity in a constantly operating dispenser 1. Additional activation of the disinfection mode is also possible after long breaks in the operation of the dispenser.

To control the disinfection process, the dispenser can be equipped with one or more temperature sensors.

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the dispenser. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, firstly, by the presence of an additional normally-open solenoid valve 18 in the steam outlet pipe 17. The additional normally-open solenoid valve 18 in the steam outlet pipe 17 closes in the dispenser disinfection mode. Closing the steam outlet pipe 17 in the dispenser disinfection mode makes it possible to increase the pressure in the hot water tank 8 and thereby increase the flow of hot water through the check valve 20, while preventing hot water from flowing through the steam outlet pipe 17. The increased water pressure in the disinfection mode also makes it possible to reduce the requirements for the accuracy of the operation of the check valve 20.

Another difference of the dispenser shown in Fig. 2 is the presence of an additional solenoid valve 29 in the first pipeline 5. The solenoid valve 29 is normally open and can be closed in the hot water filling mode from the dispenser, which can be useful when the water pressure in the inlet pipeline is excessively high. The presence of such a valve allows, even in the absence of means for regulating the inlet pressure, to avoid water from entering the cold water tank during the filling of hot water from the dispenser.

In the embodiments of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the check valve 20 is installed in the circulation pipeline 19 connecting the outlet pipelines for hot and cold water 11 and 14. It should be clear to a specialist that in the case where the outlet pipelines 11 and 14 are located close to each other, the circulation pipeline 19 can be very short or its role can be performed by the flanges of the check valve.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of connecting the circulation pipeline 19 to one of the outlet pipelines, in this case to the outlet pipeline for cold water 11. It is desirable that the circulation pipeline 19 be connected to the outlet pipeline 11 as close as possible to the outlet valve 12. Then, in the disinfection mode, hot water from the hot water tank 8, flowing through the outlet pipeline 11, will heat the water in the inlet channel 31 of the solenoid valve 12 and through it the water in the internal chamber 30 of the outlet solenoid valve 12. Thus, disinfecting the internal space of the solenoid valve 12. In this case, if the water outlet 13 and the solenoid valve body are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, for example, metal, then the water outlet 13 will also be disinfected.

Thus, the proposed dispenser provides complete disinfection of the dispenser's water path. Disinfection of the entire water path from the inlet solenoid valve 3 to the outlet solenoid valves 12 and 15 is performed without significantly complicating the dispenser's design. With such a configuration of the dispenser 1, only two elements are introduced for disinfection: the check valve 20 and the circulation pump 24 and, if necessary, an additional solenoid valve 18 in the steam outlet pipe 17.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

1 dispenser

2 inlet pipeline

3 inlet solenoid valve

4 filter

5 first pipeline

6 cold water tank

7 second pipeline

8 hot water tank

9 cooling device

10 heater

11 Cold water outlet pipe

12 Cold Water Solenoid Outlet Valve

13 Cold water outlet

14 hot water outlet pipe

15 Hot water outlet solenoid valve

16 hot water outlet

17 steam outlet pipe

18 solenoid valve in the steam outlet pipe

19 circulation pipeline

20 check valve

21 air channels

22 air filter

23 water level sensor

24 circulation pump

25 external water source

26 vertical tube

27 top open end

28 lower end

29 solenoid valve in the first pipeline

30 inner chamber of the outlet solenoid valve

31 input channel of the output solenoid valve.

Claims (19)

1. A drinking water dispenser (1) containing: an inlet pipe (2) for connection to an external water source (25); an inlet solenoid valve (3) installed in the inlet pipe (2); a cold water tank (6) equipped with a cooling device (9); a hot water tank (8) equipped with a heater (10) and installed below the cold water tank (6); cold water outlet pipe (11) connecting the cold water tank (6) to the cold water outlet (13); hot water outlet pipe (14) connecting the hot water tank (8) to the hot water outlet (16); the first pipeline (5) connecting the inlet pipeline (2) to the cold water tank (6); a circulation pump (24) for ensuring the circulation of hot water in the disinfection mode, characterized in that the dispenser (1) is provided with a circulation pipeline (19) connecting the outlet pipeline for hot water (14) with the outlet pipeline for cold water (11); a check valve (20) installed in the circulation pipeline (19), passing water from the outlet pipeline for hot water (14) to the outlet pipeline for cold water (11) and not passing water in the opposite direction, one or more temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the hot water, wherein the first pipeline (5) is connected to the cold water tank (6) through a vertical tube (26) installed in the cold water tank (6) with an open upper end (27), the lower end of which (28) is connected to the first pipeline (5), and the dispenser (1) additionally comprises a second pipeline (7) connecting the inlet pipeline (2) with the hot water tank (8). 2. The dispenser according to item 1, in which the circulation pump (24) is installed in the second pipeline (7). 3. A dispenser according to one of paragraphs 1, 2, comprising a steam outlet tube (17) connecting the upper part of the hot water tank (8) with the upper part of the cold water tank (6). 4. A dispenser according to item 3, comprising a solenoid valve (18) installed in a steam outlet tube (17). 5. A dispenser according to one of the previous points, adapted for connection to the water supply. 6. A dispenser according to item 5, comprising a water filter (4) installed in the inlet pipeline (2) in front of the inlet solenoid valve (3). 7. A dispenser according to one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising an additional solenoid valve (29) installed in the first pipeline (5). 8. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cold water output solenoid (12) installed in a cold water output pipe (11) and a hot water output solenoid (15) installed in a hot water output pipe (14). 9. The dispenser according to item 8, in which the circulation pipeline (19) with a check valve (2) is installed in front of the outlet solenoid valve for cold water (12) and in front of the outlet solenoid valve for hot water (15). 10. A method for disinfecting a dispenser according to one of the previous points, comprising the steps: turning off the cooling device (9), switching on the circulation pump (24) to pump water from the cold water tank to the hot water tank, heating water in a hot water tank using a heater (10), monitoring the temperature of hot water and switching off the heater (10) when the hot water temperature reaches a set value, circulating hot water in the dispenser.