Device for sensing water quality

A method of sensing water quality, the method being performed by a processor of a device for sensing water quality, the method comprising:

• controlling a switch such that a first light source arranged at a first point on a fluid channel pipe remains turned on to emit first light into an internal region of the fluid channel pipe;
• measuring a first turbidity value by enabling a detector to detect scattered light resulting from the first light being scattered within the internal region;
• controlling the switch such that a second light source arranged at a second point on the fluid channel pipe remains turned on to emit second light into the internal region;
• measuring a second turbidity value by enabling the detector to detect reflected light resulting from the second light being reflected by a surface of the fluid channel pipe;
• and
• computing a turbidity value for the internal region based on the first turbidity value and the second turbidity value.

An apparatus for purifying water, the apparatus comprising:

• a water intake port formed such that water is introduced therethrough;
• a device for sensing water quality, the device configured to detect the turbidity of the water flowing through a fluid channel pipe from the water intake port;
• and
• a water supply port formed such that water, the turbidity of which is detected, is discharged therethrough,
• wherein the device for sensing water quality comprises:
• a fluid channel pipe;
• an external light blocking structure formed such that the external light blocking structure surrounds the fluid channel pipe and that the fluid channel pipe is inserted into the external light blocking structure, and configured such that an inlet and an outlet of the fluid channel pipe are exposed at a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface, respectively;
• a first light source arranged at a first point on the fluid channel pipe and configured to emit first light into an internal region of the fluid channel pipe;
• a second light source arranged at a second point on the fluid channel pipe and configured to emit second light into the internal region of the fluid channel pipe;
• a detector configured to detect scattered light resulting from the first light being scattered within the internal region of the fluid channel pipe, and to detect reflected light resulting from the second light being reflected by a surface of the fluid channel pipe;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the first light source, the second light source, and the detector, and configured to measure the turbidity of a liquid within the fluid channel pipe, and
• wherein the processor
• measures a first turbidity value by enabling a detector to detect the scattered light resulting from the first light,
• measures a second turbidity value by enabling the detector to detect the reflected light resulting from the second light, and
• computes a turbidity value for the internal region based on the first turbidity value and the second turbidity value, and detects whether the fluid channel pipe is contaminated.