KR20240103443A - Module for continuously generating high-level carbonated water and Method for continuouly dispensing high-level carbonated water using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention is a high-level continuous carbonated water production module capable of direct high-level continuous discharge, including a mixing container in which water (W) and carbon dioxide are mixed to produce carbonated water; A micro water jet unit that generates a plunging jet in the direction of gravity with respect to the surface of the water filled in the mixing container unit; A carbon dioxide gas supply unit that injects carbon dioxide gas from the lower side of the mixing container unit to form a high-pressure carbon dioxide gas layer in the direction opposite to gravity due to buoyancy, and a turbulent flow formed by the micro water jet unit and the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the mixing container unit. The dispersion of carbon dioxide gas bubbles is increased thereby, and the carbonated water dissolved in an instant is maintained at a carbon dioxide pressure of 3.5 or higher, and includes a carbonated water outlet that is discharged from the lower part of the mixing container,
The micro water jet unit or the carbon dioxide gas supply unit may include an inner diameter pipe member that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion so that a micro injection port is formed in the first pipe portion.

Description

High-level continuous carbonated water production module and high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of a water supply device including the same {Module for continuously generating high-level carbonated water and Method for continuously dispensing high-level carbonated water using the same}

The present invention relates to a high-level continuous carbonated water production module and a high-level continuous carbonated water discharge method of a water supply device including the same. More specifically, carbon dioxide is supplied simultaneously with the cold water discharged from a general hot/cold water machine or water purifier to minimize excess carbon dioxide gas emissions. The present invention relates to a high-level continuous carbonated water production module using the buoyancy of a plunging water jet and a carbon dioxide gas layer to enable high-level continuous discharge of high-level carbonated water, and a high-level continuous carbonated water discharge method of a water supply device including the same.

As environmental pollution has become more serious along with industrial development, the pollution of water resources directly related to eating habits has increased. In recent years, consumer interest in healthy drinking water has been growing. Following this trend in the water market, the number of companies manufacturing bottled water from clean groundwater is increasing, and recently, it has expanded into the deep water area. Since the supply of such natural water is limited and it is more expensive than tap water, the water purifier industry that purifies tap water, etc., is also developing.

One of the development aspects of water supply devices is water treatment according to consumer preferences. Especially as seasons change, consumers want to drink cold or warm water. Accordingly, a hot and cold water machine is provided that adjusts the temperature of the water. Currently, hot and cold water dispensers are built in as an additional function in dispensers provided by bottled water suppliers, and it is a common trend for water purifiers that purify tap water to be provided as an additional function.

One of the directions of development of water supply devices to meet consumer preferences is the function of generating and providing carbonated water. Carbonated water is created by dissolving carbon dioxide in water, which is almost the same method as the method of producing carbonated drinks such as cola or cider or draft beer. The quality of carbonated water can be seen to vary depending on the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the water, that is, the degree of tingling sensation depending on the carbon dioxide gas pressure.

One of the ways to provide carbonated water with high carbon dioxide gas pressure is to operate a carbonated water tank that stores cold water and high pressure carbon dioxide gas, as introduced in Korea Public Utility Model No. 20-2013-0006029. Although it has the advantage of increasing carbon dioxide gas solubility by maintaining a high-pressure environment, it has the disadvantage that the amount of carbonated water that can be provided at one time is limited depending on the tank capacity.

To improve this, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0108730 discloses a device that directly injects carbon dioxide gas into cold water (raw water) and dissolves it to generate carbonated water and provides it to the user.

The high-level continuous carbonated water generation and discharge system according to the prior art allows consumers to obtain a large amount of carbonated water at once, but delays occur due to a certain production time in mixing water and carbonated gas, and the carbonated water production time is shortened. When using a paddle that mixes carbon dioxide gas to shorten the temperature, the structure is complicated, so a dedicated design is required, and there is a problem that it cannot be installed in an existing cold or hot water machine or water purifier.

In addition, because the cold water temperature rises when water is dispensed due to the production time of carbonated water, it is difficult to maintain the standard carbonate level, so there is a problem in that strong, high-level carbonated water cannot be dispensed continuously at a high level.

In addition, when the target carbonation pressure or carbonation absorption coefficient is 4, it is desirable to dissolve all carbon dioxide gas by using only 800 cc of carbon dioxide gas for 200 cc of carbonated water. According to the law of nature, a long residence time (mixture of water and carbon dioxide gas) is required to dissolve all carbon dioxide. (LAN time contact) is required, and in this case, direct production is impossible and there is an inevitable problem that consumption of carbonated water and carbon dioxide after production or excessive time consumption is inevitable.

Therefore, if the water extraction time is limited to a short time, there is a problem in that the target carbonation pressure cannot be reached by supplying only the amount of carbon dioxide that minimizes excess carbon dioxide gas emissions.

In addition, there is a problem that high-level water discharge is not achieved due to the immediate high-level continuous carbonated water discharge, and when carbon dioxide gas is injected, the flow amount of carbon dioxide gas is small, so when high pressure is used, only carbonic acid is discharged, and if the internal pressure is the same, carbon dioxide gas is not mixed.

In order to solve this problem, the carbonate outlet is treated using a capillary method, but there is a problem in that the carbonate gas outlet does not reach a high level (above 4.0) even if the pressure and internal pressure are increased due to the phenomenon of spouting depending on the length of the carbonate outlet and the mixing state. Since the carbon dioxide gas inlet and carbonated water outlet must be injected by lowering the pressure while maintaining the internal pressure, a high-pressure capillary is used to maintain a high level (above 4.0).

As the high-pressure capillary tube becomes thinner and longer, the internal pressure decreases and the pressure at discharge decreases, so the input of carbon dioxide gas and the discharge of carbonated water can become smoother. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to make the high-pressure capillary tube thin and long and connect it to the carbonated water production module.

Republic of Korea Open Utility Model No. 20-2013-0006029 (2013.10.16) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0029334 (2015.03.18) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0108730 (December 24, 2004)

The present invention was created to solve this problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to allow carbonic acid gas to be instantly mixed with the cold water of a general hot/cold water dispenser or water purifier when the water is dispensed. It provides a high-level continuous carbonated water production module that can be discharged immediately without using a gas mixing paddle and can be discharged continuously at a high level with strong carbonation pressure, and a high-level continuous carbonated water discharge method of a water supply device including the same.

In addition, the object of the present invention is to supply carbon dioxide at the same time as the cold water discharged from a general hot/cold water dispenser or water purifier, thereby minimizing excess carbon dioxide gas emissions and providing a plunging water jet and carbon dioxide gas bubbles so that high-level carbonated water can be discharged continuously at a high level. To provide a high-level continuous carbonated water production module using buoyancy and a high-level continuous carbonated water discharge method from a water supply device including the same.

Other detailed purposes of the present invention will be clearly understood and understood by experts or researchers in this technical field through the detailed contents described below.

A high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention is a high-level continuous carbonated water production module capable of direct high-level continuous discharge, including a mixing container in which water (W) and carbon dioxide are mixed to produce carbonated water; A micro water jet unit that generates a plunging jet in the direction of gravity with respect to the surface of the water filled in the mixing container unit; A carbon dioxide gas supply unit that injects carbon dioxide gas from the lower side of the mixing container unit to form a high-pressure carbon dioxide gas layer in the direction opposite to gravity due to buoyancy, and a turbulent flow formed by the micro water jet unit and the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the mixing container unit. The dispersion of carbon dioxide gas bubbles is increased thereby, and the carbonated water dissolved in an instant is maintained at a carbon dioxide pressure of 3.5 or higher, and includes a carbonated water outlet that is discharged from the lower part of the mixing container,

The micro water jet unit or the carbon dioxide gas supply unit may include an inner diameter pipe member that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion so that a micro injection port is formed in the first pipe portion.

In the high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of the water supply device including the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to another aspect of the present invention, when the carbonated water dispensing button is pressed, the control unit operates the fluid pump installed in the cold water discharging water line, and the carbonic acid gas. The carbonated water supply valve installed in the supply line and the carbonated water outlet valve installed in the carbonated water outlet line connected to the carbonated water production module are simultaneously opened to produce a plunging jet in the direction of gravity by the micro water jet unit within the carbonated water production module, and the carbonated water The dispersion of carbon dioxide gas bubbles is increased by the turbulent flow caused by the carbon dioxide gas layer formed in the direction opposite to gravity by the gas supply unit, so that the carbonated water dissolved in an instant is continuously discharged at a high level, and the carbonated water is formed in a fine inlet in the first pipe. The carbonated water is discharged through a water outlet having an inner diameter shaft pipe member that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe.

According to the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention and the high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of the water supply device including the same, carbonated water with a high carbon dioxide gas pressure can be continuously provided to the user at a high level, and carbonated water There is no need to store carbonated water in advance in the production module, and problems with existing carbonated water provision modules, such as delays in carbonated water provision service due to the time required to regenerate carbonated water or discharge of low-pressure carbonated water, can be resolved.

According to the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention and the high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of the water supply device including the same, cold water and carbon dioxide gas from a general hot/cold water machine or water purifier can be instantaneously mixed at the time of dispensing. By storing a large amount of carbonated water, mixing it using a separate paddle, or preventing a delayed discharge process, many people can continuously use carbonated water with a strong carbonated taste at a high level.

According to the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention and the high-level continuous carbonated water discharge method of the water supply device including the same, carbonated water is produced with sufficient carbonate gas pressure even in the low pressure and low flow rate water flow used in general cold and hot water machines or water purifiers. It is possible to continuously produce high levels of water, and continuous discharge of high levels of water is possible within the cold water capacity. The absorption coefficient according to the water intake is constant, so the homeostasis of carbonic acid pressure can be maintained and the amount of carbon dioxide used can be minimized.

Other effects of the present invention will be readily apparent and understood by experts or researchers in the technical field through the specific details described below or during the process of implementing the present invention.

1 is a diagram showing the main configuration of a water supply device including a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3A and 3B are graphs showing the possibility of producing carbonated water with respect to direct water of the carbonated water production module using a plunging jet according to the first comparative example, respectively;
4A and 4B are graphs showing the component operation method and flow of the carbonated water production module using a plunging jet according to the first and second comparative examples, respectively;
Figure 5a is a graph showing the carbon dioxide gas pressure and change in carbon dioxide absorption coefficient over time of the carbonated water production module using the plunging jet according to the first comparative example;
Figure 5b is a graph showing the change in carbon dioxide gas pressure and carbon dioxide absorption coefficient of the carbonated water production module using a plunging jet according to the first comparative example;
Figure 6 is a diagram showing the manufacturing principle of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a detailed configuration diagram of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a method of dispensing high-level continuous carbonated water from a water supply device including a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a graph showing the performance of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10A to 10C are diagrams showing the configuration of a method for producing a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to this embodiment, respectively;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged views of portions A to B of FIGS. 10A to 10C.

Hereinafter, the configuration, function and operation of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module and a water supply device including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, drawing numbers for identical or similar components throughout the drawings and embodiments will be uniformly used.

The attached drawings show applied embodiments of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention should not be construed as limited through the attached drawings. If, from the perspective of an expert in this technical field, it can be interpreted that part or all of the drawings are not in the shape, form, or order necessarily required for the practice of the invention, this does not limit the invention described in the claims. No.

In addition, some configurations are exaggerated in the drawing to facilitate recognition of pipes and spaces.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the main configuration of a water supply device including a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply device 200 including the high-level continuous carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the carbonated water production module 100, raw water 210, or several filters 230. ) is supplied to the cooling tank 310 through the purified water supply line 11, and is cooled and stored with refrigerant passing through the cooling coil-shaped cooling unit 330 installed in the cooling tank 310. It includes a unit 300 and a control unit 400 that controls the operation of the carbonated water production module 100 and the cooling unit 300.

Additionally, when using a bottled water bottle that does not go through a filter, bottled water may be supplied to the cooling tank.

In addition, although not specifically shown, a hot water tank, heater, piping, fluid pump, valve, etc. for discharging hot water may be further provided. These components may be substantially the same as those provided in a typical water supply device that provides hot or cold water.

The cooling unit 300, which operates a known refrigeration cycle, is controlled by the control unit 400, and the cooling unit 310, which is a cooling coil supplied with refrigerant, is placed in the cooling tank 330 to generate cold water. .

When the cold water outlet button is pressed, the cold water generated in this way is discharged through the dispenser 500 as the booster pump 370 and the cold water outlet valve 550 installed in the cold water outlet line 21 connected to the cooling tank 310 are opened. It can be.

Since the carbonated water outlet valve 170 installed in the carbonated water outlet line 31 of the carbonated water production module 100 is not opened, the cold water flows into the carbonated water production module 100 due to the internal pressure of the carbonated water production module 100. It may not work.

Meanwhile, the water supply device 200 including a high-level continuous carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a carbon dioxide storage tank 600 for supplying carbon dioxide gas to the carbonated water production module 100. It includes that the pressure of the carbon dioxide storage tank 600 is controlled by the regulator 610, and whether carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the carbon dioxide storage tank 600 to the carbonated water production module 100 is determined through the carbon dioxide gas supply line ( This can be achieved by opening and closing the carbon dioxide gas supply valve 650 installed in 41).

A check valve 350 to prevent backflow may be further provided between the regulator 610 and the carbon dioxide gas supply valve 650 or between the carbon dioxide gas supply valve 650 and the continuous carbonated water production module 100.

That is, when the carbonated water discharge button is pressed, the fluid pump 370 installed in the cold water discharge line 21, the carbon dioxide gas supply valve 650 installed in the carbon dioxide gas supply line 41, and the carbonated water production module 100 ), the carbonated water outlet valve 170 installed in the carbonated water outlet line 31 connected to the carbonated water outlet line 31 is opened, and carbonated water can be immediately dispensed by the instantaneous mixing action of carbon dioxide gas and water within the carbonated water production module 100.

When the carbonated water outlet button is released and the carbonated water outlet valve 170 is closed, the remaining water in the carbonated water production module 100 remains as carbonated water, and then the carbonated water outlet button is pressed again to open the carbonated water outlet valve ( Even if 170) is opened again, cold water may not come out immediately.

In the water supply device 200 including a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention, the carbon dioxide gas is adjusted to a constant pressure by a regulator 610 in the carbon dioxide storage tank 600 to control the carbon dioxide gas. When the supply valve 650 is opened, carbonated water is supplied to the production module 100.

The regulator 610 can be used by selecting one of various known ones, and the operation of the regulator 610 and the carbon dioxide supply valve 650 may be monitored and controlled by the control unit 400. The control unit 400 is equipped with a sensor or control logic for this purpose.

As will be explained in detail later, the carbonated water production module 100 generates carbonated water by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in introduced water (cold water). Water and carbon dioxide gas are simultaneously introduced into the carbonated water production module 100, and after they are mixed, they are immediately discharged out of the carbonated water production module 100, so that carbonated water can be produced continuously at a high level.

The control unit 400 can monitor the operation of the carbonated water production module 100 and control the operation of various valves or pumps to ensure normal operation.

Although not shown, the control unit 400 may be configured to further include pressure gauges or flow meters connected to each line to detect the pressure and flow rate of cold water flowing into the carbonated water production module 400 or carbonated water discharged. Additionally, the regulator 610 can be controlled to maintain the intended carbon dioxide gas pressure by measuring the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. For this purpose, the control unit 400 may be equipped with known electronic components and electric circuits.

Specifically, in a cold and hot water machine with a water purification function, tap water is usually used as a water source, and operations such as discharging cold water from the cold water tank 310 are performed at the water supply pressure level, which is about the water intake amount in an ordinary home, from 2 liters per minute. This can be achieved at a level of 4 liters per minute.

In order to continuously produce and discharge high-level carbonated water, it is advantageous to operate the carbonated water production module 100 in accordance with the flow rate of tap water used as a water source.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mixing container 110 in which water (W) and carbon dioxide are mixed to produce carbonated water, and the mixing container 110 A micro water jet unit 130 that generates a plunging water jet in the direction of gravity with respect to the surface of the water filled in, injects carbon dioxide gas upward from the bottom or side of the mixing container unit 110 to create a high-pressure carbon dioxide gas layer by buoyancy. In the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 150 and the mixing container unit 110, the plunging water jet by the micro water jet unit 130 and the high-pressure carbon dioxide gas layer by the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 150 are instantly dissolved. It includes a high-level, continuously discharged carbonated water discharge unit 170 below the mixing container unit 110.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mixing container unit 110 is cooled by the cooling unit 330 without a separate cooling device when the carbonated water production module 100 is installed in the cooling tank 310. The cold water can be maintained at a low temperature at which carbon dioxide gas is easily dissolved, and the internal space of the mixing container unit 110 is continuously and instantaneously filled at a high level by the micro water jet unit 130, and carbon dioxide gas It has a carbon dioxide gas mixing space (110A) where mixing occurs, and a gas-liquid separation space (110B) where carbon dioxide gas that is not dissolved in water in the carbon dioxide gas mixing space (110A) is separated and stored.

The micro water jet unit 130 uses a fluid pump 330 installed in the cold water discharge line 21 of the water supply device 200 to send a micro water jet through the micro water jet supply line 51 to the mixing container unit. It can be supplied through the upper part of (110).

A micro water jet may be supplied through one nozzle 131 to the upper part of the mixing container unit 110, and may include a manifold 133 to which a plurality of nozzles 133a and 133b are connected.

The carbon dioxide gas supply unit 150 includes a carbon dioxide storage tank 600 of the water supply device 200 connected to the carbon dioxide gas supply line 41, a regulator 610 for controlling carbon dioxide pressure, and the carbon dioxide supply valve 650. It can be done, and the carbon dioxide gas supply line 41 can be connected through the lower or side of the mixing container part 110.

The carbonated water outlet 170 may include a carbonated water outlet valve 530 connected to a carbonated water discharge line 31 and a dispenser 500, and the carbonated water discharge line 31 from the bottom of the mixing container unit 110. A pressure control unit 410 may be further included to prevent carbon dioxide gas from suddenly escaping in the face of atmospheric pressure upon discharge.

In the high-level continuous carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is not only disposed to intersect the micro water jet forming unit 130 and the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 150, but also includes the micro water jet unit ( It is installed in the rear flow direction of the mixing base 110 to form a carbon dioxide layer by buoyancy with respect to the carbon dioxide gas mixing space 110A of the mixing base 110, and uses the momentum for a sufficient space to form a carbon dioxide gas mixing space 110A. ) It is dispersed throughout and the dissolution of carbon dioxide gas can be easily accomplished in an instant.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the manufacturing principle of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention forms a carbon dioxide gas layer on the cross section downstream of the plunging jet formed by the micro water jet unit 130 to create a wake ( The technical feature is to maximize the mixing of the carbon dioxide layer and water by the vortex of the wake flow.

In order to minimize excess carbonate gas, it is desirable to supply only the amount of carbonate gas corresponding to the target carbonate pressure (absorption coefficient) and dissolve the entire amount. However, if you want to operate the carbonated water production module at 4 atm with the goal of a carbonate absorption coefficient of 4, In theory, carbon dioxide is compressed to 1/4 within the carbonated water production module, so the flow rate compared to water is 1:1, and the density of carbon dioxide is about 1/125, so its momentum is extremely small and is dominated by the flow of water, forming carbon dioxide gas. It is easy to create a structure that does not dissolve and only gas comes out, or does not dissolve and only water comes out, and even if it turns into fine bubbles, high carbon dioxide pressure does not come out when water is discharged. Therefore, the present invention takes into account the fact that the density of carbon dioxide gas is only a few hundredths of that of water, making it difficult to disperse bubbles, and by spraying a large amount of carbon dioxide gas at high speed into a wide space to form a carbon dioxide gas layer by buoyancy, the limit of dispersion is overcome. to overcome.

The carbon dioxide gas injected at high speed from the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 130 is converted into fine bubbles at the nozzle exit, but since an extremely large amount of carbon dioxide gas is used, collision and coalescence between fine bubbles occur instantaneously, causing the bubbles to become large and generate buoyancy. .

Instead of giving up on minimizing the amount of carbon dioxide gas used, the present invention can instantly produce carbonated water with a high carbonation pressure, and stores the separated carbon dioxide gas under pressure in the gas-liquid separation space 110B of the mixing container 110 to produce the micro carbon dioxide gas. It can be used when operating the water jet unit 130.

By opening the cold water supply valve 370 attached to the micro water jet unit 130 and the carbon dioxide gas supply valve 650 attached to the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 150, the mixing container is supplied through the micro water jet unit 130. The carbon dioxide gas in the gas-liquid separation space (110B) of the unit 110 is mixed into the carbon dioxide gas mixing space (110A) using a plunging jet, and at the same time, the carbon dioxide gas supply unit ( When a large amount of carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the carbon dioxide gas mixing space (110A) through 150) to form a carbon dioxide gas layer by buoyancy, the momentum of the carbon dioxide gas layer is utilized as is to spread over a wide area through the carbon dioxide gas mixing space (110A). Carbon dioxide bubbles can be dispersed throughout, so that the carbon dioxide gas and water are actively mixed and the dispersion of the carbon dioxide can be promoted.

In addition, looking at the behavior of carbon dioxide bubbles, after being injected into the mixing container unit 110 at high speed, they rise due to buoyancy, and the bubbles can instantly sweep through the entire inside of the mixing space (110A), and the carbon dioxide gas The carbonated water may not be discharged through the outlet 170.

Now, the configuration and operational effects of the high-level continuous carbonated water production module manufactured using the solution principle of the carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

Figure 7 is a detailed configuration diagram of a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a high-level continuous carbonated water of a water supply device including a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention. A flow chart showing the water extraction method, and Figure 9 is a graph showing the performance of the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of the water supply device including the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the carbonated water dispensing button is pressed, the control unit 400 The fluid pump 370 installed in the cold water discharge line 21, the carbon dioxide gas supply valve 650 installed in the carbon dioxide gas supply line 41, and the carbonated water discharge line 31 connected to the carbonated water production module 100. By opening the carbonated water outlet valve 170 installed in the carbonated water production module 100, carbonated water can be immediately dispensed by the instantaneous mixing action of carbon dioxide gas and water.

When the carbonated water outlet button is released and the carbonated water outlet valve 170 is closed, the remaining water in the carbonated water production module 100 remains as carbonated water, and then the carbonated water outlet button is pressed again to open the carbonated water outlet valve ( Even if 170) is opened again, cold water may not come out immediately.

The control unit 400 is provided with a water level sensor 380 or a float valve inside the cooling tank 310 and determines that the water level inside the cooling tank 310 measured through the water level sensor 380 or the float valve is low water level. When this happens, the raw water supply valve 250 of the raw water supply line 11 can be opened to fill the cooling tank 310.

As shown in FIG. 9, the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to embodiments of the present invention generates and provides carbonated water by instantaneously mixing water and carbon dioxide gas when the user requests carbonated water to be dispensed, thereby providing high-level continuous carbonated water. It can be seen that it is possible to provide carbonated water.

Therefore, since there is no need to make and store carbonated water in advance, there is no additional need for a pressure vessel to store carbonated water or a cooling device to control the temperature of the pressure vessel.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 10A to 11B, the detailed configuration of the micro water jet unit, the carbonated water supply unit, and the carbonated water discharge unit that can discharge high-level continuous carbonated water according to the manufacturing method of the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to the present embodiment. Explain.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams of a method for manufacturing a high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to this embodiment, and FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged views of portions A to B of FIGS. 10A to 10C.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the mixing container portion 110 of the carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be injection molded from a plastic material.

A blocking plate 115 is formed on the upper part of the carbonated water discharge part 170 of the mixing container unit 110, and a carbon dioxide supply unit 150 is screwed from the side with respect to the upper part of the blocking plate 115, and the mixing container unit The micro water jet portion 130 may be injection molded to be screwed to the auxiliary body 117 forming a tapered gas-liquid separation space 110B on the top of the cylindrical main body 111 of (110).

As shown in Figure 10b, the mixing container unit 110 of the carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention discharges carbonated water from the mixing container unit 110 made of stainless steel by drawing and pipe welding. A blocking plate 115 is formed by drawing and pipe welding on the upper part of the unit 170, and the carbon dioxide supply part 150 is formed on the lower part of the mixing container part 110 so that the carbon dioxide supply part 150 is exposed to the upper part of the blocking plate 115. ) may be drawn and pipe welded, and the micro water jet portion 130 may be applied to the auxiliary body 117 forming a tapered gas-liquid separation space 110B on the top of the cylindrical main body 111 of the mixing container 110. ) may be constructed by drawing and pipe welding.

As shown in Figure 10c, a blocking plate 115 is welded to the upper part of the carbonated water discharge part 170 of the mixing container part 110 of the carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the blocking plate 115 The carbon dioxide supply unit 150 may be welded with a steel pipe to the lower part of the mixing container unit 110 so that the carbon dioxide supply unit 150 is exposed to the upper part of the plate 115, and the mixing container unit 110 may be united by welding the steel pipe. Can be assembled.

The mixing container unit 110 of the carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C is configured such that the micro water jet unit 130 forms a water jet through one nozzle. It can be.

In the mixing container portion 110 of the carbonated water production module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, it is very difficult to process a microinjection port having a micropipe channel, so the process shown in FIG. 11A As shown, the micro water jet unit 130 or the carbon dioxide supply unit 150 has an inner diameter of the first pipe portion (131, 151) so that micro injection ports (135, 135) are formed in the first pipe portion (131, 151). By including small inner diameter shaft pipe members 133 and 135, the microinjection ports 135 and 135 can be easily processed to mechanically control the flow rate of water and carbon dioxide gas.

The carbonated water outlet 170, which communicates with the carbon dioxide gas mixing space 110A, has an inner diameter shaft pipe member 173 that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion 171 so that a fine injection port 175 is formed in the first pipe portion 171. ) may include.

In particular, it is desirable that the smallest inner diameter of the inner axis tube member 153 for the carbon dioxide supply unit 150 be limited to 0.3 to 0.7 mm to allow smooth injection of the carbon dioxide gas.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the carbonated water discharge unit 170 consists of a tubular pipe portion 171 and a rod-shaped member 173 inserted into the tubular pipe portion 171, and the carbonated water is discharged into the tubular pipe portion 171 and the rod-shaped member 173. It may be discharged through the microspace 170a between the rod-shaped members 173.

The rod-shaped member 173 may be made of stainless steel, and a microspace 170a may be formed in the rod-shaped member 173.

In this way, the micro water jet unit 130, the carbon dioxide supply unit 150, and the carbonated water discharge unit 170 have micro injection ports 135, 155, and 175 in the first pipe portions 131, 151, and 171. Since the inner diaphragm tube member 173 is formed, injection or discharge can be performed by lowering each pressure while maintaining the internal pressure, so the pressure at discharge is lowered even if a thin and long capillary tube is not used, so the input of carbon dioxide gas or the discharge of carbonated water can become smoother.

In this way, not only is it possible to continuously provide high-level carbonated water, but the carbon dioxide gas pressure of the provided carbonated water can be increased. By quickly dispersing carbon dioxide gas in a high-pressure environment, carbonated water with strong carbon dioxide gas pressure can be quickly created, thereby continuously providing high levels of carbonated water with high carbon dioxide gas pressure to users.

110: mixing container 110A: carbonated water mixing space
110B: Tapered gas-liquid separation space 111: Cylindrical main body
115: blocking plate 117: auxiliary body
118: inner cover 119: upper cover
130: Micro water jet section 150: Carbon dioxide supply section
170: carbonated water discharge unit

Claims (9)

A mixing vessel unit in which water (W) and carbon dioxide are mixed to produce carbonated water in a high-level continuous carbonated water production module capable of direct high-level continuous discharge;
A micro water jet unit that generates a plunging jet in the direction of gravity with respect to the surface of the water filled in the mixing container unit;
A carbon dioxide gas supply unit that injects carbon dioxide gas from the lower side of the mixing container unit to form a high-pressure carbon dioxide gas layer in the opposite direction of gravity due to buoyancy, and
The dispersion of carbon dioxide gas bubbles is increased by the turbulence formed by the micro water jet and the carbon dioxide gas supply section in the mixing container, and the instantly dissolved carbonated water is discharged from the lower part of the mixing container while maintaining a carbonation pressure of 3.5 or more. It includes a carbonated water outlet,
A high-level continuous carbonated water production module wherein the micro water jet unit or the carbon dioxide gas supply unit includes an inner diameter shaft pipe member that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion so that a micro injection port is formed in the first pipe portion. According to claim 1,
The mixing container unit contains a carbon dioxide gas mixing space in which water and carbon dioxide gas are mixed in one internal space, and a high level continuous carbon dioxide gas separated from the carbon dioxide gas mixing space is stored in the upper part of the carbon dioxide gas mixing space, and a constant carbon dioxide gas is stored. It has a gas-liquid separation space tapered upward to have pressure,
A high-level continuous carbonated water production module comprising an inner diameter shaft pipe member that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion so that a fine injection port is formed in the carbonated water outlet portion communicating with the carbon dioxide gas mixing space. According to claim 1,
The micro water jet unit includes a cold water supply line and a fluid pump installed in the cold water supply line,
The cold water supply line is connected to the gas-liquid separation space of the mixing container section,
The carbon dioxide gas supply unit includes a carbon dioxide gas supply line connected to a carbon dioxide storage tank, a regulator installed in the carbon dioxide gas supply line, and a carbon dioxide gas supply valve,
The carbon dioxide gas supply line is connected to a vertical section downstream of the plunging jet by the micro water jet section through the lower side or bottom of the mixing container section,
A high-level continuous carbonated water production module in which the smallest inner diameter of the inner diameter shaft tube member is limited to 0.3 to 0.7 mm to allow smooth injection of carbon dioxide gas. According to claim 1,
The carbonated water outlet unit includes a carbonated water discharge line connected to a dispenser, and a water outlet valve or pressure reducing unit installed in the carbonated water discharge line,
The carbonated water discharge line is comprised of a tubular pipe and a rod-shaped member inserted into the tubular pipe, and the carbonated water is discharged through a microspace between the tubular pipe and the rod-shaped member. A high-level continuous carbonated water production module. According to claim 4,
The rod-shaped member is a high-level continuous carbonated water production module made of stainless steel. According to claim 1,
High-level continuous carbonated water including a blocking plate disposed above the carbonated water outlet and lower than the supply nozzle of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit to prevent the carbon dioxide gas from being released into the carbonated water outlet by the carbon dioxide gas supply unit. Manufacturing module. In the high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of the water supply device including the high-level continuous carbonated water production module according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the carbonated water outlet button is pressed, the control unit simultaneously opens the fluid pump installed in the cold water outlet line, the carbonated water supply valve installed in the carbonated water supply line, and the carbonated water outlet valve installed in the carbonated water outlet line connected to the carbonated water production module, In the carbonated water production module, the dispersion of carbon dioxide gas bubbles increases due to the plunging jet in the direction of gravity by the micro water jet unit and the turbulence caused by the carbon dioxide gas layer formed in the direction opposite to gravity by the carbon dioxide gas supply unit, thereby instantly Dissolved carbonated water is continuously discharged at a high level,
A high-level continuous carbonated water dispensing method of a water supply device in which the carbonated water is discharged through a carbonated water outlet having a member for an inner diameter shaft pipe that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion so that a micro-injection port is formed in the first pipe portion. According to claim 7,
When the carbonated water outlet button is released and the carbonated water outlet valve is closed, the carbonated water remains as residual water in the carbonated water production module and thereafter, when the carbonated water supply valve is opened, the carbonated water is supplied at a high level continuously. How to extract carbonated water. According to claim 7,
The carbonated water production module is disposed inside the cooling tank, and when the water level inside the cooling tank measured through the water level sensor or float valve of the cooling tank is determined to be low, the cooling tank is configured to form a micro-injection port in the first pipe portion. A method of dispensing high-level continuous carbonated water from a high-level water supply device filled by the micro water jet portion having an inner diameter shaft pipe member that reduces the inner diameter of the first pipe portion.

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