KR101450618B1 - Apparatus for cooling water and purifier for providing cold/hot water using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water cooling device and a hot/cold water purifier using the same. The water cooling device has a structurally reliable coupling structure while using a thermoelectric device to reduce the power consumption, minimizes the amount of the heat escaping to the outside and reduces the nighttime noise. Accordingly, the present invention includes: a water tank unit including a water tank and an external heat insulation member; a heat transferring member including a first heat transferring unit and a second heat transferring unit; a thermoelectric device including a heat emission unit and a heat absorption unit; a noiseless cooling unit including a refrigerant tank unit, a first refrigerant pipe, a cooling pin, and a second refrigerant pipe; a coupling bracket; and a thermal insulation bracket including a tank body mount unit and a thermal insulation element.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a water cooling apparatus and a cold water purifier using the same,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water cooling device and a cold / hot water purifier using the same, and more particularly, to a water cooling device with low power consumption and noise reduction and a cold /

Generally, a water purifier is developed to purify the water used for drinking water. It is designed to be used in connection with faucets that are connected directly to a faucet and a tablet-type Tubular type). Depending on the purification method, it is divided into water direct connection type, natural filtration type, ion exchange water type, distillation type, and reverse osmosis type.

The cooling system for supplying the cold water includes a refrigerant circuit cooling system using a compressor and a cooling system such as a cooling coil in a cold water tank. A method in which water is cooled by inserting a predetermined thermoelectric element is mainly used.

However, in the case of using a thermoelectric element to cool water in a conventional cold / warm water purifier, since a heat sink for cooling the heat generating portion of the thermoelectric element and a blowing fan for blowing cool air to the heat sink are used, There is a problem in that it occurs continuously.

In addition, in the conventional cold / warm water purifier, due to inflow of fine dust due to the flow of air, the inside of the cold / warm water purifier becomes dirty and dust accumulates on the heat sink, and the cooling performance sharply decreases. There is a problem that the thermoelectric element has poor durability.

In addition, there has been a problem in that a large amount of electric power is consumed to continuously drive the blowing fan, which is expensive.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2013-0047390 (entitled " Water purifier using thermoelectric element)

The object of the present invention is to provide a water cooling device which can reduce power consumption by using a thermoelectric element in cooling water and minimizes heat loss to the outside while having a structurally stable coupling structure .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cold / warm water purifier capable of lowering power consumption and reducing noise by changing an operation mode according to an external environment.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a water tank unit comprising a water tank storing water to be cooled, and an external heat insulating member surrounding the outer surface of the water tank; A heat transfer member disposed inside the water tank and having a first heat transfer section for cooling the water and a second heat transfer section extending from the first heat transfer section and disposed through the water tank; A thermoelectric element having a heat generating part for emitting heat through electrical interaction and a heat absorbing part for absorbing heat while being in surface contact with the heat generating part; A coolant tank unit having a coolant tank main body in which coolant is stored inside and one surface is in surface contact with the heat generating unit, and a tank coupling flange formed at a rim of the coolant tank main body; and a coolant tank unit for cooling the refrigerant vaporized by heat of the heat generating unit, A second refrigerant pipe extending downward from an upper end of the first refrigerant pipe and connected to the refrigerant tank main body; and a second refrigerant pipe arranged on the outer side of the second refrigerant pipe, A cooling-free unit having cooling fins for condensing the vaporized refrigerant; And a tank through hole through which the coolant tank main body passes is formed at the center of the fastening bracket. And a heat insulating bracket formed between the fastening bracket and the water tank and having a tank main body seating portion on which the refrigerant tank main body is mounted and a thermoelectric device seating portion on which the thermoelectric element is seated, Thereby providing a cooling device.

The water cooling apparatus further includes an air blowing unit installed on the silent cooling unit to blow cool air toward the silent cooling unit, and the air blowing unit can be selectively driven according to the external environment.

The water cooling device may further include a first sealing member disposed between the fastening bracket and the tank coupling flange to prevent heat loss.

Wherein the fastening bracket has a fastening flange disposed adjacent to one side of the heat insulating bracket, a fastening protrusion protruding from the fastening flange in the direction of the coolant tank unit and engaged with the tank fastening flange, And a coupling boss projecting to the water tank and coupled to the water tank.

In order to set a coupling position when the coupling protrusion and the tank coupling flange are engaged, a positioning protrusion is formed on the coupling protrusion, and the tank coupling flange is formed with a protrusion receiving portion for receiving the positioning protrusion.

The water cooling apparatus may further include a first fastening member for fastening the water tank, the heat transfer member, and the fastening boss at a time, and the heat insulating bracket may have a boss through hole through which the fastening boss penetrates.

The water cooling device may further include a second fastening member for fastening the rims of the water tank, the heat transfer member, and the fastening flange at a time.

The blowing unit may be disposed at a front surface of the silencer unit so that the refrigerant tank unit, the first refrigerant pipe, the second refrigerant pipe, and the cooling fin can be cooled at the same time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, A water cooling device disposed inside the outer case; A control unit for selectively driving the blowing unit based on operation information on driving conditions of the blowing unit; And a sensing unit for acquiring the operation information and providing the operation information to the control unit.

Effects of the water cooling apparatus and the cold / warm water purifier using the same according to the present invention are as follows.

First, if the user does not have many users to cool the heating part of the thermoelectric element, the heating part is cooled through the noiseless cooling unit, and if there are many users, the power loss is reduced by cooling the heating part through the noiseless cooling unit and the blower unit At the same time, there is an advantage that night noise can be reduced.

Second, the heat transfer member, the thermoelectric element, the coolant tank unit, the fastening bracket, and the heat insulating bracket provided for cooling the water are efficiently disposed, thereby minimizing the heat loss to the outside while having a structurally stable coupling structure. have.

1 is a perspective view showing a water cooling apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing the main configuration of the water cooling apparatus according to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing the fastening bracket and the heat insulating bracket provided in the water cooling device of FIG. 1 separated.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where a water tank unit and a noiseless cooling unit are combined.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the above-mentioned problems to be solved can be specifically realized will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments, the same names and the same symbols are used for the same configurations, and additional description therefor will be omitted below.

1 to 4, an embodiment of a water cooling apparatus and a cold / warm water purifier using the same according to the present invention will be described.

The water cooling apparatus includes a water tank unit 100, a heat transfer member 800, a thermoelectric element 700, a silent cooling unit 200, a blowing unit 300, a fastening bracket 400, a heat insulating bracket 600, A first sealing member 900, a first fastening member 510, and a second fastening member 520. [

The water tank unit 100 includes a rectangular tubular water tank 120 storing water to be cooled and an external heat insulating member 110 surrounding the outer surface of the water tank 120.

A water tank hole (not shown) penetrating the heat transfer member 800 is formed in the water tank 120. The outer heat insulating member 110 has a diameter larger than the water tank hole with respect to the center of the water tank hole, The bracket accommodating portion is formed to be large.

The bracket receiving portion is provided in the shape of a hole, and the heat insulating bracket 600 is accommodated in the bracket receiving portion. The present invention is not limited to this, and a second sealing member (not shown) may be disposed between the outer surface of the heat insulating bracket 600 and the inner surface of the bracket receiving portion.

The external heat insulating member 110 prevents heat from being transferred to the outside of the water tank 120 and prevents condensation from being generated on the external surface of the water tank 120.

A first through hole (not shown) through which the first fastening member 510 passes and a second through hole (not shown) through which the second fastening member 520 passes may be formed in the water tank 120 have.

The heat transfer member 800 includes a first heat transfer portion 810 disposed inside the water tank 120 to cool the water and a second heat transfer portion 810 extending from the first heat transfer portion 810, And a second heat transfer portion 820 disposed through the tank hole.

A third through hole (not shown) through which the first fastening member 510 passes and a fourth through hole (not shown) through which the second fastening member 520 passes are formed in the first heat transfer portion 810 . Here, the first through holes and the third through holes are arranged in a line, and the second through holes and the fourth through holes are arranged in a line.

The second heat transfer part 820 is cooled while being in surface contact with the heat absorbing part of the thermoelectric element 700 to cool the water. The present invention is not limited to this, and the second heat transfer part 820 may be formed with a seating groove in which one end of the thermoelectric element 700 is seated.

The thermoelectric element 700 includes a heat generating unit (not shown) that emits heat through electrical interaction, a heat absorbing unit (not shown) that absorbs heat while corresponding to the heat generating unit and is in surface contact with the second heat transfer unit 820 (Not shown).

A p-type semiconductor element and an n-type semiconductor element are provided between the heat generating portion and the heat absorbing portion. When electric power is supplied to the thermoelectric element 700, electrical interaction between the p-type semiconductor element and the n- A temperature difference exists between the heat generating portion and the heat absorbing portion.

Therefore, as the temperature of the heat-generating portion is lowered by cooling the heat-generating portion, the amount of heat absorbed by the heat-absorbing portion is increased.

Meanwhile, the silent cooling unit 200 includes a refrigerant tank unit, a first refrigerant pipe, a cooling fin 230, and a second refrigerant pipe.

Specifically, the coolant tank unit includes a coolant tank main body 270 in which refrigerant is stored in one side and one side is in surface contact with the heat generating portion, a tank coupling flange 280 formed on a rim of the coolant tank main body 270, .

The refrigerant tank main body 270 has a closed rectangular tube shape and communicates with the first refrigerant tube and the second refrigerant tube.

A first engaging portion 281 for engaging with the engaging protrusion 410 of the engaging bracket is provided in the corner area of the tank engaging flange 280 in the form of a through hole.

The tank coupling flange 280 is formed with a projection receiving portion 283 in which the positioning projection 413 projected from the coupling projection 410 is received. In the present embodiment, the projection receiving portion 283 is provided in the form of a through hole.

The positioning protrusion 413 is received in the projection receiving portion 283 so that the engaging position is automatically set when the engaging projection 410 and the tank engaging flange 280 are engaged.

The first refrigerant pipe includes a first left refrigerant pipe 210 and a first right refrigerant pipe 220 connected to an inner space of the refrigerant tank main body 270.

The first left refrigerant pipe 210 and the first right refrigerant pipe 220 are symmetrical with respect to each other and guide the refrigerant vaporized by the heat of the heating unit toward the upper side of the refrigerant tank body 270.

The second refrigerant pipe extends downward from the upper end of the first refrigerant pipe and is connected to the refrigerant tank main body 270. The second refrigerant pipe 260 extends from the first left refrigerant pipe 210 and the second right refrigerant pipe 260 extending from the first right refrigerant pipe 220, ).

The second left refrigerant pipe (250) and the second right refrigerant pipe (260) are arranged parallel to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. The refrigerant is bent in a meandering shape, To the coolant tank main body (270) from the first right side coolant pipe (220).

The cooling fins 230 are disposed on the outer surfaces of the second left refrigerant pipe 250 and the second right refrigerant pipe 260 to condense the vaporized refrigerant. The cooling fin 230 is installed to surround the second left refrigerant pipe 250 and the second right refrigerant pipe 260.

A wire fixing bracket (not shown) for fixing the cooling fin 230 to the lower end of the second refrigerant pipe and a gap holding member (not shown) for maintaining a gap between the cooling fin 230 240 may be installed.

The air blowing unit 300 is installed on the silent cooling unit 200 and blows air toward the silent cooling unit 200. The air blowing unit 300 is disposed in a lower region of the cooling fin 230 installed on the second refrigerant pipe to intensively cool the refrigerant immediately before entering the refrigerant tank main body 270, .

Specifically, the blowing unit 300 is disposed on the front surface of the silent cooling unit 200, and the refrigerant tank unit, the first refrigerant pipe, the second refrigerant pipe, and the cooling fin 230 are simultaneously It is installed at a position where it can be cooled.

Here, the air blowing unit 300 is selectively driven according to the external environment, which will be described later in the process of the cold / warm water purifier having the water cooling device.

The fastening bracket 400 has one side connected to the heat transfer member 800 and the other side connected to the tank coupling flange 280 and a tank through hole 427 through which the coolant tank main body 270 passes, Respectively.

Specifically, the fastening bracket 400 includes a fastening flange 420 disposed adjacent to one side of the heat insulating bracket 600, and a fastening flange 420 protruding from the fastening flange 420 in the direction of the coolant tank unit, And a coupling boss 425 projecting from the coupling flange 420 in the direction of the water tank 120 and engaged with the water tank 120. [

A second engaging portion 411 corresponding to the first engaging portion 281 of the tank engaging flange 280 is formed at the corner of the engaging protrusion 410 in the shape of an insertion groove.

A fifth through hole 421 through which the second fastening member 520 passes is formed at the corner of the fastening flange 420.

As a result, the second fastening member 520 has a second through hole of the water tank 120, a fourth through hole of the first heat transfer portion 810, a fifth through hole of the fastening flange 420 421 of the water tank 120, the heat transfer member 800 and the fastening flange 420 at the same time.

The fastening boss 425 is formed with a boss groove 425a through which one end of the first fastening member 510 is inserted and fastened.

As a result, the first fastening member 510 passes through the first through hole of the water tank 120, the third through hole of the first heat transfer portion 810, and then passes through the boss groove 425 of the fastening boss 425 The water tank 120, the heat transfer member 800, and the fastening boss 425 are fastened together at the same time.

Here, the first fastening member 510 and the second fastening member 520 are coupled to the water tank 120, the heat transfer member 800, and the fastening bracket 400, So that the combined state can be maintained.

In addition, the first sealing member 900 is disposed between the fastening brackets, that is, the fastening protrusions 410 and the tank coupling flange 280, thereby preventing heat loss.

Meanwhile, the heat insulating bracket 600 is disposed between the fastening bracket 400 and the water tank 120 to block heat loss.

Specifically, the heat insulating bracket 600 is formed with a tank main body seating portion 610 on which the refrigerant tank main body 270 is seated and a thermoelectric device seating portion 620 on which the thermoelectric element 700 is mounted.

A boss through hole 630 through which the fastening boss 425 passes is formed at the edge of the heat insulating bracket 600.

The heat insulating bracket 600 is inserted into the bracket receiving portion of the external heat insulating member 110 in a state where the fastening boss 425 of the fastening bracket is fitted in the boss penetrating hole 630 of the heat insulating bracket.

When the thermoelectric element 700 is disposed in the thermoelectric element seating portion 620, the coolant tank body 270 passes through the tank through-hole 427 of the fastening bracket, .

4, the coolant tank main body 270 is disposed in a space formed inside the fastening bracket 400 and the heat insulating bracket 600, and the thermoelectric element 700 is disposed in the space Heat transfer portion 820, the coolant tank body 270, and the heat insulating bracket 600 so as to minimize heat loss to the outside.

A thermal grease is disposed between the second heat transfer portion 820 and the heat absorbing portion of the thermoelectric element 700 for efficient heat transfer, The thermal grease may be disposed between the tank body 270 and the heat dissipation portion of the thermoelectric element 700. [

On the other hand, the water cooling apparatus described above can be used as one component constituting the cold / warm water purifier.

For example, the cold / warm water purifying apparatus according to the present embodiment may include an external case (not shown), a water cooling device disposed inside the external case, and operation information on driving conditions of the air blowing unit 300, And a sensing unit (not shown) for acquiring the operation information and providing the operation information to the control unit.

The operation information on the driving condition of the air blowing unit 300 may include information such as the temperature of the water present in the water tank 120, the illuminance of the indoor space provided with the cold / warm water purifier, the time when the cold / The number of occupants of the vehicle.

The sensing unit may include at least one of a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the water, an illuminance sensor for measuring the illuminance of the indoor space, a clock for indicating the time at which the cold / warm water purifier is used, and a human body sensor can do.

Specifically, when the illuminance sensor is used as the sensing unit, if the illuminance of the indoor space sensed by the illuminance sensor is lower than a predetermined level, for example, nighttime, the control unit may determine that there is no user of the cold / The operation of the air blowing unit 300 is stopped to reduce noise during operation of the cold / warm water purifier.

When the illuminance of the indoor space exceeds a predetermined level, the control unit recognizes that there is a user of the cold / warm water purifier, and drives the blower unit 300 to cool the thermoelectric element 700 can be rapidly cooled.

In addition, when the human body detection sensor is used as the sensing unit, if it is detected by the human body sensor that there is no human being in the indoor space, the control unit stops the operation of the blowing unit 300, If it is detected that there is a person, an operation mode for driving the blowing unit 300 may be performed.

In addition, the control unit may be operated by setting the operation speed, the operation time, and the like of the air blowing unit 300 differently according to the number of occupants present in the indoor space.

Also, when the clock is used as the sensing unit, an operation mode in which the operation of the blowing unit 300 is stopped at a specific time, for example, at night, and the blowing unit 300 is driven during the day have.

As a result, when the cold water is not used much in the cold / hot water purifier, the heat generating portion of the thermoelectric device 700 is cooled through the noiseless cooling unit 200. When cold water is used in the cold / And the air blowing unit 300 to cool down the heat generating portion of the thermoelectric element 700, thereby reducing power loss and noise at night.

Of course, when the temperature sensor is used as the sensing unit, the operation of the blowing unit 300 is stopped when the temperature of the water is below a predetermined temperature, and the operation mode in which the blowing unit 300 is driven May be performed.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed in the claims. And such variations are within the scope of the present invention.

100: Water tank unit 110: External heat insulating member
120: Water tank 200: Noiseless cooling unit
210: first left refrigerant tube 220: first right side refrigerant tube
230: cooling pin 240:
270: coolant tank body 280: tank coupling flange
300: blowing unit 400: fastening bracket
410: fastening protrusion 420: fastening flange
425: fastening boss 427: tank through hole
510: first fastening member 520: second fastening member
600: Heat insulating bracket 610: Tank body seat part
620: thermoelectric element seating portion 630: boss penetration hole
700: thermoelectric element 800: heat transfer member
810: first heat transfer part 820: second heat transfer part
900: first sealing member

Claims (9)

A water tank unit having a water tank in which water to be cooled is stored, and an external heat insulating member surrounding the outer surface of the water tank;
A heat transfer member disposed inside the water tank and having a first heat transfer section for cooling the water and a second heat transfer section extending from the first heat transfer section and disposed through the water tank;
A thermoelectric element having a heat generating part for emitting heat through electrical interaction and a heat absorbing part for absorbing heat while being in surface contact with the heat generating part;
A coolant tank unit having a coolant tank main body in which coolant is stored inside and one surface is in surface contact with the heat generating unit, and a tank coupling flange formed at a rim of the coolant tank main body, and a coolant tank unit for cooling the refrigerant vaporized by the heat of the heat generating unit, A second refrigerant pipe extending downward from an upper end of the first refrigerant pipe and connected to the refrigerant tank main body; and a second refrigerant pipe arranged on the outer side of the second refrigerant pipe, A cooling-free unit having cooling fins for condensing the vaporized refrigerant;
And a tank through hole through which the coolant tank main body passes is formed at the center of the fastening bracket. And,
And a heat insulating bracket formed between the fastening bracket and the water tank, wherein the tank body mounting portion on which the refrigerant tank main body is mounted, and the thermoelectric device seating portion on which the thermoelectric element is mounted, . The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising: an air blowing unit installed on the noiseless cooling unit for blowing cold air toward the silencer cooling unit, wherein the air blowing unit is selectively driven according to an external environment. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a first sealing member disposed between the fastening bracket and the tank coupling flange to prevent heat loss. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the fastening bracket has a fastening flange disposed adjacent to one side of the heat insulating bracket, a fastening protrusion protruding from the fastening flange in the direction of the coolant tank unit and engaged with the tank fastening flange, And a coupling boss projecting into the water tank and coupled to the water tank. 5. The method of claim 4,
A positioning protrusion is protruded from the fastening protrusion to set a coupling position when the fastening protrusion and the tank coupling flange are engaged, and the tank fitting flange is provided with a protrusion receiving portion for receiving the positioning protrusion Lt; / RTI > 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a first fastening member for fastening the water tank, the heat transfer member, and the fastening boss together, wherein the heat insulating bracket is formed with a boss through hole through which the fastening boss penetrates. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a second fastening member for fastening the rims of the water tank, the heat transfer member, and the fastening flange at one time. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the blower unit is disposed at a front surface of the noiseless cooling unit and is installed at a position where the refrigerant tank unit, the first refrigerant pipe, the second refrigerant pipe, and the cooling fin can be cooled at the same time Water cooling system. An outer case;
A water cooling device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, arranged inside the outer case;
A control unit for selectively driving the blowing unit based on operation information on driving conditions of the blowing unit; And,
And a sensing unit for acquiring the operation information and providing the operation information to the control unit.

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