KR20180109259A - Water supply device for automatically maintaining water level and water purifier having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dual ultrasonic sensor, which comprises: a dispenser having a spout to enable purified water to flow into a container disposed in the lower portion of the spout; and a sensor unit measuring a height and a water level of the container by using a dual ultrasonic sensor having transmitting angles, different from each other. Moreover, the dual ultrasonic sensor comprises: a wide-angle ultrasonic sensor transmitting ultrasonic waves of a first transmitting angle to the container and measuring the height of the container; and a narrow angle ultrasonic sensor transmitting ultrasonic waves of a second transmitting angle, narrower than the first transmitting angle, and measuring the water level of the container to enable the ultrasonic waves to reach a water surface by passing through an entrance hole of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic water purifier,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an automatic water level watering device capable of automatically supplying water to a certain water level and a water purifier having the same.

Generally, the water purifier has a dispenser for providing purified water to the user so that the user can drink it.

As the demand for refrigerators with various functions increases, a dispenser can be installed on the door of the refrigerator so that the user can drink water using the dispenser without opening the door.

The dispenser may include a dispenser housing recessed inwardly from a front surface of a water purifier or a refrigerator door, an outlet provided on an upper portion of the dispenser housing, and an operation unit operated by a user's touch.

The user can place the container such as the cup on the lower part of the outflow port and then operate the operation part to extract the water.

In recent years, attention has been focused on the development of a dispenser capable of automatically supplying water to a predetermined level by controlling the water level of the water exiting the container by touching once.

Hitherto, there has been an attempt to develop a dispenser for detecting the container height and the water level in the container by using an ultrasonic sensor.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an ultrasonic signal showing the results of measuring the height of various types of containers and water using a conventional ultrasonic sensor. FIG. 2 is a view showing a method of measuring a water level in a container using a conventional ultrasonic sensor. 2A is a conceptual view for explaining a problem in measuring a level of a container having a narrow inlet, and FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram for explaining a problem in measuring a level of the container having a low height.

The ultrasonic sensor transmits an ultrasonic wave based on TOF (Time of Flight), receives a reflected wave reflected from the water surface inside the vessel 100, and measures the distance to the water surface existing within the angle of emission of the ultrasonic wave The value can be measured. The water level in the container 100 can be sensed using the distance value to the water surface in the container 100 measured.

On the other hand, according to the conventional patent document 10-0832237, the ultrasonic sensors are arranged in a line from the outflow port, and the height of the container is measured using an ultrasonic sensor remote from the outflow port of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors, Each ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasound at the same angle of emission (eg, 60 to 150 degrees) to measure the height of the container and the water at the same time.

However, in the conventional ultrasonic sensor, it is difficult to distinguish the measured distance value between the inlet of the container 100 and the ultrasonic sensor from the ultrasonic sensor to measure the height and the water level of the container, 100) were often inaccurate.

For example, in FIG. 1, the height and the water level of various types of containers are measured using a plurality of ultrasonic sensors having a dialing angle of 60 to 150 degrees. The results are as follows.

1, there is a problem that it is difficult to distinguish the signal of the water height because the intensity of the water height signal is low in the case of the water bottle 101 having the narrow opening at the first container.

The handle may be erroneously recognized as the height of the container in the case of the pot 102 having a high handle, which is the second container.

In the case of the soju beaker 103 having the inverted triangle shape as the third container, a reflection signal is received from the slope surface above the water surface, and the slope surface may be erroneously recognized as the water height.

The height of the spoon may be erroneously recognized as the height of the container in the case of the mug 104 in which a part of the spoon as the fourth container is exposed upward.

In particular, although it is possible to measure the water level of the container 100 having a wide inlet as shown in the left side of FIG. 2A, there is a problem that the water level of the container 110 having a narrow inlet as shown on the right side of FIG. have.

This is because most of the ultrasonic waves are reflected at the inlet of the container and do not reach the surface of the interior of the container 110 in the case of the container 110 having a narrow inlet.

As shown in the left side of FIG. 2B, the water level of the container 120 having a height higher than the predetermined height can be measured, but the water level of the container 130 having a low height as shown on the right side of FIG. There is an impossible problem.

Because the ultrasonic sensor measures all distance values to the obstacles present within the angle of departure, the entrance of the vessel 130 closest to the sensor is first measured and prioritized.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic water level watering device capable of accurately measuring the water level in various containers, particularly containers with narrow openings or low height, and automatically supplying water to a specified water level, and a water purifier will be.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an automatic water level dispenser comprising: a dispenser provided with a water outlet for dispensing purified water into a container disposed below the water outlet; And a sensor unit for measuring a height and a level of the container by using a dual ultrasonic sensor having different angles of departure, wherein the dual ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic waves at a first angle of departure to the container to measure the height of the container Wide Angle Ultrasonic Sensor; And a narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of the container by transmitting an ultrasonic wave having a second angle of departure, which is narrower than the first angle of departure, so that ultrasonic waves pass through the inlet of the container and reach the surface of the water.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first angle of emission may be 60 to 150 degrees.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second dialing angle may be 0 to 10 degrees.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet formed at the upper end of the container may be smaller in area than the container body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wide angle and narrow angle ultrasonic sensors may be arranged close to the outlet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a water supply valve for controlling the water flow rate of the purified water; And a controller for controlling the water supply valve.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a target level input unit for inputting a target level of the container by a user; And a display for indicating the level of the container.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit receives a sensing signal from the wide angle ultrasonic sensor, and removes a value of a height variation of the container when water is supplied among input values of ultrasonic waves received from the container. have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller may determine a height of the container by extracting a minimum value among measured distance values between the wide angle ultrasonic sensor and the inlet of the container.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit receives a monitoring signal from the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor and determines a constant value of a change in the water level at a water level among input values of ultrasonic waves reflected and received from the water surface have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller may determine a water level of the container by extracting a maximum value among measured distance values between the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor and the water surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wide angle ultrasonic sensor includes: a transmitter that emits an ultrasonic wave; And a receiver for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the container.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor may include a transmitter and receiver for transmitting ultrasonic waves and receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the container.

The water purifier according to the present invention comprises: a water purifier main body; A filter unit installed inside the purifier body; A dispenser provided with a water outlet and allowing the purified water supplied from the filter portion to flow out into a container disposed below the water outlet; A water supply valve for controlling the water flow rate of the purified water; A target water level input unit through which a user inputs a target water level of the container; A display for indicating a level of the container; A sensor unit for measuring a height and a level of the container using a dual ultrasonic sensor having different angles of departure; And a control unit receiving the sensing signal from the sensor unit and controlling the water supply valve, wherein the dual ultrasonic sensor includes: a wide angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring a height of the container by transmitting ultrasound waves at a first angle of emission to the container; And a narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of the container by transmitting ultrasound at a second angle of departure, which is narrower than the first angle of departure, so that ultrasonic waves pass through the inlet of the container and reach the surface of the water.

A refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a refrigerator body having a storage room therein; A door for opening / closing a front surface of the refrigerator main body; A dispenser provided on a front surface of the door, having a water outlet, and dispensing purified water into a container disposed at a lower portion of the water outlet; A water supply valve for controlling the water flow rate of the purified water; A target water level input unit through which a user inputs a target water level of the container; A display for indicating a level of the container; A sensor unit for measuring a height and a level of the container using a dual ultrasonic sensor having different angles of departure; And a control unit receiving the sensing signal from the sensor unit and controlling the water supply valve, wherein the dual ultrasonic sensor includes: a wide angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring a height of the container by transmitting ultrasound waves at a first angle of emission to the container; And a narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of the container by transmitting ultrasound at a second angle of departure, which is narrower than the first angle of departure, so that ultrasonic waves pass through the inlet of the container and reach the surface of the water.

According to the present invention configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

First, the height of the container at the time of water supply is measured by a wide angle ultrasonic sensor (60 degrees or more) having a wide angle of departure (sensing angle), and the water level in the container is measured with a narrow angle ultrasonic sensor (10 degrees or less) Using different ultrasonic sensors, it is possible to measure without interfering with vessel height and water level, and it is possible to implement a water purifier in various types of vessels such as narrow or low-height vessels.

Second, a narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic wave emitting angle of 10 degrees or less can receive reflected waves reflected from the water surface by passing ultrasonic waves through the inlet of the container to reach the water surface.

Third, a wide angle ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic emission angle of 60 degrees or more can detect the entrance of containers having various sizes and shapes of containers.

Fourth, it is effective to apply an independent detection algorithm to the container inlet and the surface of the water, considering that the sensing characteristics of the container inlet and the water surface are opposite. That is, when the container height is measured, since the container height does not change during the water supply, the measurement value at which the change occurs is removed, and the minimum value among the distance values measured as the container inlet is closest to the sensor is extracted, Can be measured more accurately. In addition, when measuring the level of the container, since the height at the time of water supply is changed, a constant value is extracted, and since the distance from the sensor to the water surface has the longest distance value, So that the level of the container can be measured more accurately.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an ultrasound signal showing the results of measuring the height of various types of containers and water using a conventional ultrasonic sensor.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a problem in measuring the level of a container having a narrow inlet, FIG. 2 (b) Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the problem of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic water level dispenser according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing a dual ultrasonic sensor according to the present invention installed on an upper part of a dispenser.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the dual ultrasonic sensor in more detail in FIG.
6A is a conceptual diagram for explaining the measurement principle of the wide angle ultrasonic sensor with respect to the height of the container among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG.
FIG. 6B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the principle of measurement of the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor with respect to the level of the container among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG.
FIG. 7A is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of measurement of a wide-angle ultrasonic sensor for a container having a narrow inlet among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG.
FIG. 7B is a conceptual diagram for explaining the measurement principle of the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for a container having a narrow inlet among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG.
FIG. 8A is a conceptual view for explaining the principle of measurement of a wide-angle ultrasonic sensor for a container of a low height among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG.
FIG. 8B is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of measurement of the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for the low-height container among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG.
9A is a graph showing waveforms of ultrasonic signals according to the present invention with respect to the container height at the time of water supply.
FIG. 9B is a graph showing the waveform of the ultrasonic signal according to the present invention with respect to the water level of the container at the time of water supply.
10 is a flowchart for explaining an automatic water leveling method according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an automatic water level dispenser and a water purifier having the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of an automatic water supply system according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing a dual ultrasonic sensor according to the present invention installed on an upper part of a dispenser 12, Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the dual ultrasonic sensor in more detail.

The water purifier may include a purifier body 10, a filter unit 11, and an automatic water purifier.

The purifier body 10 forms the appearance of the purifier. The filter unit 11 includes a plurality of filters connected in series, and the tap water is sequentially passed through the plurality of filters to filter substances harmful to the human body to generate purified water.

The water purifier may include a cooling device for cooling the purified water to generate cold water and a heating device for heating the purified water to generate hot water.

The automatic water level feeder may be installed in front of the water purifier main body 10 in a direction in which the user stands in front of the water purifier and looks at the water purifier.

The automatic water level feeder may include a dispenser 12, a water supply valve 13, an input unit, a display 16, a sensor unit 20, and a control unit 19.

The dispenser (12) has at least one outlet (121). When the outlet 121 is one, the purified water, the cold water, and the hot water can be selectively discharged through the single outlet 121. When two outlets 121 are provided, one of the outlets 121 and 122 can selectively receive the purified water and the cold water, and the other can receive the hot water. The dispenser 12 may be recessed rearward on the front surface of the purifier body 10. A receiving space for receiving the container 1 is formed in the dispenser 12 and the outlet 121 may be installed at an inner upper end of the dispenser 12. When the dispenser 12 is applied to the front of the door of the refrigerator, the dispenser 12 may further include an ice discharge port. The ice discharge port may be disposed inside the dispenser 12 from the outlet 121.

The water supply valve (13) is installed in a water supply pipe connected to the filter unit (11), so that the amount of purified water can be adjusted. The water supply pipe can be connected to the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe. In this case, the water supply valve 13 may be provided in plurality so as to independently adjust the purified water, the cold water, and the hot water.

The input unit may include a water level start input unit 14 for the user to input the start of the water level, and a target water level input unit 15 for the user to input the target water level. The water level start input section 14 and the target level input section 15 may be spaced apart from each other so as to be operable separately from each other. The input unit can be operated in a button-type or touch-type that can be operated by a user.

The display 16 can display the target water level, the water level in the water in the vessel 1 in real time so that the user can visually recognize it.

The target water level and the measured water level respectively displayed on the input unit and the display 16 may be displayed in digital form or bar graph form such as 50%, 70% and 80%. The input unit and the display 16 may be disposed on the upper portion of the outlet 121.

The sensor unit 20 can measure the height and the water level of the container 1 using a dual ultrasonic sensor. The dual ultrasonic sensor may be installed at an upper portion of the dispenser 12 close to the outlet 121.

The control unit 19 can receive the measured values from the water level start input unit 14, the target level input unit 15, the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 and the narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18 to control the water supply valve 13 . The control unit 19 receives a signal from the target level input unit 15 and the narrowed-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 and displays a target level to be fed into the container 1 through the display 16 and a target level And water level can be displayed in real time.

The dual ultrasonic sensor may include a wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 and a narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18.

In the present specification, the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 is defined as an ultrasonic sensor for emitting an ultrasonic wave at a transmission angle (sensing angle) of 60 to 150 degrees, and the narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18 is defined as an ultrasonic sensor for transmitting ultrasonic waves at a transmission angle of 10 degrees It can be defined as an ultrasonic sensor that transmits ultrasonic waves. However, the angle of emission of the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 and the narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18 may vary depending on the design purpose.

The originating angle of the ultrasonic sensor can be determined according to the structure of the ultrasonic wave outlet from which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted. For example, there are two guide surfaces that define the range of the ultrasonic waves at the exit of the ultrasonic wave, and when the ultrasonic waves are emitted between the guide surfaces, the angle of emission of the ultrasonic waves can be determined by the angle between the two guide surfaces.

The wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 is configured to measure the height of the container 1. The container 1 may have various forms such as a container 1 having a narrow inlet or a small height. Since the ultrasonic sensor measures all the distances to the obstacles present within the angle of departure, the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17, which transmits the ultrasonic waves in a wide range of angles, is advantageous for measuring the height of various types of containers.

The wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 may include a transmitter 171 mounted on one side of the printed circuit board 173 and a receiver 172 mounted on the other side of the printed circuit board 173. The transmitting portion 171 transmits ultrasonic waves, and the receiving portion 172 receives ultrasonic waves reflected from the container 1 or the like. The wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 can receive ultrasonic waves reflected from the container 1 by the transmission of ultrasonic waves. The control unit 19 is electrically connected to the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 and can measure the distance value between the ultrasonic sensor and the container 1 (obstacle) based on the time difference between the transmission and reception.

The narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 is configured to measure the water level in the vessel 1. In order to measure the water level when the inlet of the container 1 is narrow, the ultrasonic wave must pass through the inlet of the container 1, so that the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 having a narrow angle of departure is effective. Since the angle between the transmitted ultrasound wave and the reflected ultrasound wave is narrower than that of the wide angle ultrasonic wave, the transmitting unit 171 and the receiving unit 172 are preferably configured as one module. Accordingly, the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 may include a transmitting and receiving unit 172 that transmits ultrasonic waves and receives reflected ultrasonic waves. The control unit 19 is electrically connected to the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18, and can measure the distance between the sensor and the water level based on the time difference between the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves.

6A is a conceptual view for explaining the measurement principle of the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 with respect to the height of the container 1 of the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG. Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of measurement of the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 for the ultrasonic sensor.

The reason why the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 and the narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18 having different angles of departure are used in measuring the height and the water level of the container 1 is that the height and the water level of the container 1 are different from each other, So that the height and the water level of the container 1 can be measured without interfering with each other.

The sensing characteristics and measurement principle of the height and the level of the container (1) are as follows.

6A, the container 1 is accommodated in the storage space of the dispenser 12 and is disposed at the lower portion of the outlet 121 and is seated in the lower portion of the dispenser 12 so that the height of the container 1 is changed There is no. According to this sensing characteristic, the measurement principle 1 eliminates the value at which the height change of the container 1 occurs. Measurement Principle 2 extracts the minimum of the measured distance values since the inlet of the vessel (1) is closest to the sensor.

On the other hand, the water level has a change in height during watering. According to this sensing characteristic, the measurement principle 1 confirms a constantly varying value. Measurement Principle 2 extracts the maximum of the measured distance values since the distance from the sensor to the water surface is the longest distance (see FIG. 6B). At this time, if the inside of the container 1 is not filled with water, the distance value between the sensor and the bottom of the container 1 is excluded.

FIG. 7A is a conceptual view for explaining the principle of measurement of the wide-angle ultrasonic sensor 17 with respect to the container 1 having a narrow inlet among the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG. 5, FIG. 7B is a conceptual view of the dual ultrasonic sensor of FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of measurement of the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 with respect to the narrow-

7A, the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 transmits an ultrasonic wave having a wide angle of departure (for example, 60 degrees) to the container 1 having a narrow entrance, and the entrance of the upper end of the container 1 closest to the sensor You can detect it first. The height of the container 1 can be measured by extracting the minimum value among the measured distance values that do not change during water supply in accordance with the above-described measurement principle.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 can detect the water level by allowing ultrasonic waves having a narrow angle of departure (e.g., 10 degrees) to pass through the entrance of the narrow-mouth container 1 to reach the water surface. It is possible to measure the water level of the container 1 by extracting the maximum value among the measured distance values constantly changing at the time of water supply according to the measurement principle described above.

FIG. 8A is a conceptual view for explaining the principle of measurement of the wide-angle ultrasonic sensor 17 for the low-height container 1 of the dual ultrasonic sensors of FIG. 5, FIG. 8B is a conceptual view for explaining the principle of measurement of the low- 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of measurement of the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 with respect to the narrow-

8A, the wide-angle ultrasonic sensor 17 can transmit an ultrasonic wave having a wide angle of emission to the container 1 having a low height and preferentially detect the entrance at the upper end of the container 1 at a distance closest to the sensor . Even in this case, the height of the container 1 can be measured by extracting the minimum value among the measured distance values which do not change during water supply.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 can detect the water level by allowing the ultrasonic wave having a narrow angle of emission to pass through the entrance of the low-height container 1 (paper cup having a height of 5 cm or less) . Even in this case, the maximum value among the measured distance values constantly changing at the time of water supply can be extracted and the water level of the container 1 can be measured.

FIG. 9A is a graph showing the waveform of the ultrasonic signal according to the present invention with respect to the height of the container 1 at the time of water supply, FIG. 9B is a graph showing the waveform of the ultrasonic signal according to the present invention, FIG.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a graph (left graph) obtained by measuring the height of the container 1 by a conventional ultrasonic sensor having the same characteristics shows that the height of the container 1 measured with the passage of time is 5.2 cm It is difficult to determine the measured value with respect to the height of the container 1. In addition,

On the other hand, according to the graph (right graph) obtained by measuring the height of the container 1 by the dual ultrasonic sensor having different origination angles of the present invention, the height of the container 1 measured with the passage of time It is possible to determine the height of the container 1 by keeping the straight line at the height of the container 1 without almost protruding.

Referring to FIG. 9B, a graph (left graph) obtained by measuring the water level of the container 1 by the ultrasonic sensor having the same characteristics as the conventional one shows that the water level of 1.8 cm protruded upward and downward with time It is difficult to determine the measured value for the water level.

On the other hand, according to the graphical result (right graph) obtained by measuring the water level by the dual ultrasonic sensor having different origination angles according to the present invention, the water level does not protrude almost in the vertical direction on the basis of the measured water level of 1.8 cm as time elapses It was possible to confirm the water level by maintaining a straight line.

Hereinafter, an automatic water leveling method according to the present invention will be described.

10 is a flowchart for explaining an automatic water leveling method according to the present invention.

The user places the water level below the water outlet 121 of the dispenser 12 for entering the purified water into the container 1 and then inputs the target water level to go out through the target water level input unit 15. [

When the input target water level is correct, the user starts the water level water supply through the water level water supply start input unit 14.

The control unit 19 determines whether or not the water supply start input unit 14 is input.

When the water level supply start input unit 14 is inputted, the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 measures the height of the container 1 seated on the dispenser 12. The control unit 19 receives a signal from the wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 and determines whether the height of the container 1 is successfully detected.

When the height of the container 1 is sensed, the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 senses the initial water level of the container 1. If the height of the container 1 is not detected, a warning signal for detecting the height of the container 1 is generated to the user through the speaker and the display 16 installed in the purifier body 10. [

The detected initial water level is compared with the previously inputted target water level. If the initial water level is lower than the target water level, the control unit 19 opens the water supply valve 13 so that the water is purified into the interior of the container 1 through the water outlet 121 (even if cold water or hot water is selected). If the initial water level is equal to or higher than the target water level, the water supply valve 13 is closed to terminate the automatic water level feeding.

The control unit 19 senses the level in the container 1 in real time via the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18. [

The control unit 19 determines whether the sensed water level is equal to the target water level. If the measured water level is equal to the target water level, the water valve (13) is closed and the automatic water level feed is terminated. If the measured water level is lower than the target water level, the water valve 13 is kept open.

Although the automatic water level dispenser is applied to a water purifier, it can also be applied to a refrigerator.

The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body, a door dispenser 12, a water supply valve 13, a water supply start point input section 14, a target water level input section 15, a wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17, a narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18, And the like.

The main body of the refrigerator may have a storage room inside to form an appearance of the refrigerator and store the food.

The door may be hinged to the front surface of the refrigerator body to open / close the front surface of the refrigerator body.

The dispenser 12 is recessed on the front surface of the door and has a water outlet 121 at an upper portion of the dispenser 12 so that water can be discharged to the inside of the container 1 disposed below the water outlet 121 have.

The water supply valve (13) is provided in the water supply pipe and can control the flow rate of purified water flowing out through the water outlet (121).

The water supply start input unit 14 may be installed on the upper part of the dispenser 12 and may be inputted through the water supply start input unit 14 when the user starts water supply into the vessel 1.

The target level input section 15 is provided on the upper part of the dispenser 12 so that the user can input the target level of the container 1 to the target level input section 15.

The wide angle ultrasonic sensor 17 is capable of measuring the height of the container 1.

The narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 18 can measure the water level inside the container 1. [ The wide angle and narrow angle ultrasonic sensor 18 may be installed on both sides of the left and right or both front and rear sides with the outlet 121 interposed therebetween.

The control unit 19 controls the operation of the entire refrigerator, and in particular, it can control the amount of water to be controlled such as the purified water for controlling the water supply valve 13.

The display 16 can display the current state of the water purifier such as the height of the container 1 and the water level (%) in the container 1 in real time. Other components are the same as or similar to those of the water purifier to which the automatic water purifier is applied, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of related arts will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein may be obscured.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. will be.

1: container 10: purifier body
11: Filter part 12: Dispenser
121: Outlet 13: Water valve
14: Water supply start input part
15: target level input section 16: display
17: Wide angle ultrasonic sensor 171:
172: receiving section 173: printed circuit board
18: narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor 19:
20:

Claims (15)

A dispenser provided with a water outlet for taking out the purified water to the inside of the container disposed below the water outlet; And
A sensor unit for measuring a height and a level of the container using a dual ultrasonic sensor having different angles of departure;
Lt; / RTI >
The dual ultrasonic sensor includes:
A wide angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the height of the container by transmitting ultrasonic waves at a first angle of emission to the container; And
A narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of the container by transmitting an ultrasonic wave having a second dialing angle which is narrower than the first dialing angle so that ultrasonic waves pass through an inlet of the container and reach the water surface;
And an automatic water level feeder. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first dialing angle is 60 to 150 degrees. The method according to claim 1,
And the second dialing angle is 0 to 10 degrees. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the inlet formed at the upper end of the container is smaller in area than the container main body. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the wide angle and narrow angle ultrasonic sensors are disposed close to the outlet. The method according to claim 1,
A water supply valve for controlling the water flow rate of the purified water; And
A controller for controlling the water supply valve;
And an automatic water level controller for controlling the automatic water level controller. The method according to claim 6,
A target water level input unit through which a user inputs a target water level of the container;
And a display for indicating a level of the container. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the control unit receives a sensing signal from the wide angle ultrasonic sensor and removes a value of a height change of the container when water is supplied to the input values of the ultrasonic waves reflected from the container. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the controller extracts a minimum value of measured distance values between the wide angle ultrasonic sensor and the inlet of the container to determine the height of the container. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the control unit receives a monitoring signal from the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor, and determines that the input value of the ultrasonic wave reflected from the water surface is a constant value of a change in the water level at the time of water supply. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the control unit determines a water level of the container by extracting a maximum value of measured distance values between the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor and the water surface. The method according to claim 1,
The wide angle ultrasonic sensor includes:
A transmitting part for transmitting ultrasonic waves;
And a receiver for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the container. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitter and receiver for transmitting ultrasonic waves and receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the container. Purifier body;
A filter unit installed inside the purifier body;
A dispenser provided with a water outlet and allowing the purified water supplied from the filter portion to flow out into a container disposed below the water outlet;
A water supply valve for controlling the water flow rate of the purified water;
A target water level input unit through which a user inputs a target water level of the container;
A display for indicating a level of the container;
A sensor unit for measuring a height and a level of the container using a dual ultrasonic sensor having different angles of departure; And
A control unit for receiving the sensing signal from the sensor unit and controlling the water supply valve;
Lt; / RTI >
The dual ultrasonic sensor includes:
A wide angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the height of the container by transmitting ultrasonic waves at a first angle of emission to the container; And
A narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of the container by transmitting an ultrasonic wave having a second dialing angle which is narrower than the first dialing angle so that ultrasonic waves pass through an inlet of the container and reach the water surface;
. 1. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator body having a storage room therein;
A door for opening / closing a front surface of the refrigerator main body;
A dispenser provided on a front surface of the door, having a water outlet, and dispensing purified water into a container disposed at a lower portion of the water outlet;
A water supply valve for controlling the water flow rate of the purified water;
A target water level input unit through which a user inputs a target water level of the container;
A display for indicating a level of the container;
A sensor unit for measuring a height and a level of the container using a dual ultrasonic sensor having different angles of departure; And
A control unit for receiving the sensing signal from the sensor unit and controlling the water supply valve;
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The dual ultrasonic sensor includes:
A wide angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the height of the container by transmitting ultrasonic waves at a first angle of emission to the container; And
A narrow-angle ultrasonic sensor for measuring the level of the container by transmitting an ultrasonic wave having a second dialing angle which is narrower than the first dialing angle so that ultrasonic waves pass through an inlet of the container and reach the water surface;
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