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US 12,382,553 B2Granted
Control device of water purifier, water purifier, and control method thereof
AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.
InventorsYonghyun Kim, Kobong Choi, Jewook Jeon, Siyeon An
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control device, for a water purifier, that dispenses hot water and that includes: an input unit that is configured to receive a command signal; and a controller that is configured to control the water purifier based on the command signal, wherein the controller is configured to: control power output of a heating unit that is configured to heat water stored in a hot water tank of the water purifier, and based on the power output of the heating unit, control temperature of hot water dispensed by the water purifier is disclosed.
Claims19
A controller of a water purifier that includes a heater and is configured to dispense hot water, the controller being configured to:
- control the water purifier based on a command signal, the command signal including information regarding a set temperature for the hot water to be dispensed from the water purifier;
- detect a power output of the heater, the heater being configured to heat water stored in a hot water tank of the water purifier;
- determine whether the power output satisfies a preset output reference corresponding to the set temperature;
- based on a determination that the power output satisfies the preset output reference, control the power output of the heater;
- control, by controlling the power output of the heater, a dispense temperature of the hot water to be dispensed from the water purifier;
- detect a first temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water tank;
- determine whether the first temperature satisfies a first temperature reference;
- and
- based on a determination that the first temperature satisfies the first temperature reference, reduce the power output of the heater at a predetermined time interval to thereby match the first temperature to the first temperature reference.
6 more elements
A water purifier comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive purified water;
- a hot water tank configured to store hot water generated from the purified water received through the inlet;
- a heater configured to heat the purified water received in the hot water tank to thereby generate the hot water;
- a water dispenser configured to dispense the hot water stored in the hot water tank;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- control the water purifier based on a command signal, the command signal including information regarding a set temperature for hot water to be dispensed through the water dispenser,
- detect a power output of the heater,
- determine whether the power output satisfies a preset output reference corresponding to the set temperature,
- based on a determination that the power output satisfies the preset output reference, control the power output of the heater, and
- control, by controlling the power output of the heater, a dispense temperature of the hot water to be dispensed through the water dispenser,
- detect a time period from a latest discharge of the hot water from the hot water tank,
- determine whether the time period satisfies a predetermined period of time,
- determine whether a temperature difference between a first temperature of the purified water entering the hot water tank and a second temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water tank satisfies a preset difference reference, and
- based on a determination that the time period satisfies the predetermined period of time and a determination that the temperature difference satisfies the preset difference reference, control (i) a flow rate of the purified water entering the hot water tank and (ii) the power output of the heater.
12 more elements
A method for controlling a water purifier that includes a heater and is configured to dispense hot water, the method comprising:
- receiving purified water into a hot water tank of the water purifier;
- obtaining a set temperature for hot water to be dispensed from the hot water tank;
- heating, by the heater, the purified water stored in the hot water tank to thereby generate the hot water, the heater comprising an induction heater and being configured to, based on the set temperature, heat the purified water received into the hot water tank;
- storing the hot water generated from the purified water received into the hot water tank;
- controlling a power output of the heater by controlling a frequency or a phase of AC power applied to the heater;
- controlling, by controlling the power output of the heater, a dispense temperature of the hot water to be dispensed from the hot water tank;
- and
- dispensing the hot water from the hot water tank,
- wherein controlling the power output of the heater comprises:
- detecting the power output of the heater,
- determining whether the power output satisfies a preset output reference corresponding to the set temperature, and
- based on a determination that the power output satisfies the preset output reference, controlling the power output of the heater,
- wherein the method further comprises:
- detecting a flow rate of the purified water entering the hot water tank,
- calculating an opening degree of a flow rate valve corresponding to the flow rate and a control value for adjusting the flow rate valve,
- based on the calculated opening degree and the calculated control value, setting an initial opening degree of the flow rate valve, and
- adjusting the opening degree of the flow rate to the initial opening degree.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.