Liquid dispensing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11279610-B2
Application number	US-202016796144-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2020
Priority date	Feb 22, 2019
Publication date	Mar 22, 2022
Grant date	Mar 22, 2022

Abstract

Provided is a liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device includes an internal member coupled to a sink and a nozzle. A liquid processing module is installed separately from the dispenser and may include components to generate, for example, a heated liquid, a cooled liquid, or a liquid having a sterilizing agent. Piping coupling the liquid processing module to the nozzle may extend through the internal member, and one or more components may couple the internal member under the sink. One or more valves may be positioned on the piping to direct fluid from the liquid processing module to the nozzle or to discharge fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid dispensing device comprising:
a dispenser which is positioned such that at least a portion of the dispenser is exposed above a sink;
a liquid processing module in a location separate from the dispenser;
a nozzle installed on the dispenser, the nozzle being configured to supply a sterilizing liquid generated in the liquid processing module to the sink;
a user interface device installed on the dispenser, the user interface device being configured to receive at least one of a liquid discharge command or a liquid discharge stop command from a user;
a sterilized liquid module installed in the liquid processing module, the sterilized liquid module being configured to generate the sterilizing liquid based on receiving power;
a sterilized liquid valve configured to manage at least one of a flow of liquid introduced into the sterilized liquid module or a flow of liquid discharged from the sterilized liquid module;
a sterilized liquid tube configured to receive liquid from the sterilized liquid module;
a liquid discharge valve installed on the sterilized liquid tube, the liquid discharge valve having a first outlet to discharge liquid in the sterilized liquid tube toward the nozzle and a second outlet to drain liquid in the sterilized liquid tube away from the nozzle;
a drain tube connected to the second outlet of the liquid discharge valve to receive liquid drained from the sterilized liquid tube; and
a controller configured to manage the sterilized liquid module, the sterilized liquid valve, and the liquid discharge valve,
wherein, when the liquid discharge command is input by the user, the controller is configured to:
supply power to the sterilized liquid module; and
open the sterilized liquid valve and the first outlet of the discharge valve so that sterilizing liquid is discharged to the nozzle.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the liquid discharge stop command is input by the user while the sterilizing liquid is being discharged, the controller is configured to:
stop the supply of power to the sterilized liquid module; and
close the first outlet of the liquid discharge valve connected to the nozzle and open the second outlet of the liquid discharge valve connected to the drain tube to drain liquid in the sterilized liquid tube for a set time.

3. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein, when a first amount of the sterilizing liquid is discharged through the nozzle, the controller is configured to stop the supply of power to the sterilized liquid module while the first outlet of the liquid discharge valve connected to the nozzle is opened.

4. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 3 , wherein, when a second amount of the sterilizing liquid is discharged through the nozzle while the power is supplied to the sterilized liquid module, the controller is configured to close the first outlet of the second liquid discharge valve connected to the nozzle.

5. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4 , wherein, when the liquid discharge stop command is input by the user while the sterilizing liquid is being discharged, the controller is configured to close the first outlet of the second liquid discharge valve connected to the nozzle and open the second outlet of the second liquid discharge valve connected to the drain tube to drain the liquid in the sterilized liquid tube for a set time.

6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4 , wherein, when the first outlet of the liquid discharge valve connected to the nozzle is closed, the second outlet connected to the drain tube is opened.

7. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 6 , wherein, when the second outlet of the second liquid discharge valve connected to the drain tube is opened, the controller controls the sterilized liquid valve and the liquid discharge valve so that the liquid in the sterilized liquid tube is drained is for a set time while the supply of power to the sterilized liquid module is stopped.

8. A liquid dispensing device comprising:
a dispenser which is positioned such that at least a portion of the dispenser is installed above a sink;
a liquid processing module in a location separate from the dispenser;
a nozzle installed on the dispenser, the nozzle being configured to discharge a hot liquid or a sterilizing liquid generated in the liquid processing module to the sink;
a user interface device installed on the dispenser, the user interface device being configured to receive a hot liquid discharge command, a liquid discharge command, or a liquid discharge stop command from a user;
a hot liquid tank installed inside the liquid processing module to generate the hot liquid;
a sterilized liquid module installed in the liquid processing module, the sterilized liquid module being configured to generate the sterilizing liquid based on receiving power;
a sterilized liquid valve configured to manage at least one of a flow of liquid introduced into the sterilized liquid module or a flow of liquid discharged from the sterilized liquid module;
a sterilized liquid tube configured to receive liquid from the sterilized liquid module;
a hot liquid valve configured to control a flow of liquid into the hot liquid tank or a flow of liquid from the hot liquid tank;
a common tube configured to receive liquid from the hot liquid tank;
a first liquid discharge valve installed on the common tube, the first liquid discharge valve including a first outlet that is configured to discharge liquid from the common tube toward the nozzle and a second outlet that is configured to drain liquid from the common tube away from the nozzle;
a temperature sensor installed on the first liquid discharge valve;
a first drain tube connected to the first liquid discharge valve to discharge the liquid drained via the second outlet of the first liquid discharge valve;
a second liquid discharge valve installed on the sterilized liquid tube, the second liquid discharge valve having a first outlet to discharge liquid in the sterilized liquid tube toward the nozzle and a second outlet to drain liquid in the sterilized liquid tube away from the nozzle;
a second drain tube connected to the second outlet of the second liquid discharge valve to receive liquid drained from the sterilized liquid tube; and
a controller configured to manage the hot liquid valve, the first liquid discharge valve, the sterilized liquid module, the sterilized liquid valve, and the second liquid discharge valve,
wherein, when the liquid discharge command is input by the user, the controller is configured to:
supply power to the sterilized liquid module; and
open the sterilized liquid valve and the first outlet of the discharge valve so that sterilizing liquid is discharged to the nozzle.

9. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 8 , wherein, when the hot liquid discharge command is input by the user, the controller is configured to:
compare a temperature of liquid in the common tube, which is detected by the temperature sensor, to a first set temperature; and
close the hot liquid valve when the temperature of the liquid is less than the set temperature and perform preheating of the hot liquid tank while the second outlet of the first liquid discharge valve connected to the first drain tube is opened.

10. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
open the hot liquid valve when the temperature of the liquid is greater than the set temperature and perform preheating of the hot liquid tank while draining the liquid in the common tube by opening the second outlet of the first liquid discharge valve connected to the

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Jeon Jewook
• Han Dongkoo
• Ji Jingyu
• Kim Sangnam
• Yun Jongwon
• Yeo Junki
• Kim Youngseok

Classifications

• E03C2201/50

  Constructional features of escutcheons for domestic plumbing installations · CPC title

• E03C1/041

  having provisions against scalding, e.g. temperature limiting devices, external covers · CPC title

• B67D1/0878

  Safety, warning or controlling devices (B67D1/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E03C1/044

  having a heating or cooling apparatus in the supply line (water heaters, e.g. with continuous flow, F24H) · CPC title

• E03C1/0404

  Constructional or functional features of the spout · CPC title