초록 ▼

A water purifier includes a replaceable pre-processing filter, a washable membrane, and a replaceable post-processing filter through which potable water is sequentially conducted. A controller determines a total use time of the filters and membrane and compares the total use time with a reference ti

A water purifier includes a replaceable pre-processing filter, a washable membrane, and a replaceable post-processing filter through which potable water is sequentially conducted. A controller determines a total use time of the filters and membrane and compares the total use time with a reference time for replacement of the filters and washing of the membrane. When the total use time for the filters has reached the reference time, visual and audio indicators are activated. When the total use time for the membrane has reached the reference time, a valve is actuated which permits potable water to flow across and clean the membrane and then be discharged to waste.

대표청구항 ▼

In a water purifier apparatus comprising a replaceable pre-processing filter; a membrane section including a washable membrane; a replaceable post-processing filter; conduits for passing potable water sequentially through said pre-processing filter, said membrane section and said post-processing fil

In a water purifier apparatus comprising a replaceable pre-processing filter; a membrane section including a washable membrane; a replaceable post-processing filter; conduits for passing potable water sequentially through said pre-processing filter, said membrane section and said post-processing filter; a discharge passage communicating with the membrane section for discharging water to waste; a valve actuable for causing water in the membrane section to flow, at an increased flowrate, along and wash the membrane and become discharged to waste; and a controller for automatically controlling a flow of potable water through the conduits; said controller including: determining means for determining a filter total use time in which the filters have been in use, and a membrane total use time in which the membrane has been in use; comparing means connected to the determining means for comparing the filter total use time and the membrane total use time with respective reference times for replacement of the filters and washing of the membrane; indicating means connected to the comparing means for providing an indication to a user that the filter total use time has reached its reference time for replacing the filters; and valve-actuating means connected to the comparing means for actuating the valve to cause water to flow across and wash the membrane when the membrane total use time has reached its reference time for washing the membrane; wherein the discharge passage is arranged to discharge from the membrane section, potable water which has not passed through the membrane.