Unit for producing sterilized water, cartridge comprising the unit and washing machine comprising the cartridge
Disclosed is a unit for producing sterilized water. The unit comprises an electrode module, a pair of electrode rods and a frame. The electrode module includes a pair of electrode plates and a hollow electrode separator positioned between the electrode plates to separate the electrode plates from each other. Each of the electrode plates has a plurality of elongated slots formed therein. The electrode rods apply different voltages to the respective electrode plates. The frame is positioned at one side of the electrode module and has portions for receiving the respective electrode rods. Each of the electrode plates has a pair of holes formed at the circumference thereof. The electrode rods penetrate through the respective holes. The holes have different sizes. The electrode plates are stacked in such a manner that the holes having different sizes overlap each other. This stack enables the application of different voltages to the electrode plates through the respective electrode rods. The unit is easy to manufacture due to its simple structure and can produce sterilized water in high efficiency.
1. A unit for producing sterilized water by underwater discharge of supply water, comprising:
an electrode module including a pair of electrode plates, each of which has a plurality of elongated slots formed therein, and a hollow electrode separator positioned between the electrode plates to separate the electrode plates from each other;
a pair of electrode rods for applying different voltages to the respective electrode plates; and
a frame positioned at one side of the electrode module and having portions for receiving the respective electrode rods,
wherein each of the electrode plates has a pair of holes formed at a circumference thereof, through which the respective electrode rods penetrate, the pair of holes having different diameters, the diameter of one of the pair of holes being substantially the same as the outer diameter of the pair of electrode rods, the diameter of the other hole being larger than the outer diameter of the pair of electrode rods, and the electrode plates are stacked in such a manner that the each of the pair of holes of one of the electrode plates overlaps a respective one of the pair of holes of another electrode plate having a different diameter so that different voltages are applied to the electrode plates through the respective electrode rods, and
wherein each of the electrode rods is a screw having an externally threaded portion and each of the electrode plates is fastened to the externally threaded portion of one of the pair of electrode rods so that each of the electrode plates is in contact with one of the pair of electrode rods along the circumferential surface of the hole through which the respective electrode rod penetrates,
wherein the electrode separator has a pair of recessed portions in communication with the holes through which the respective electrode rods penetrate and a connection portion for connecting the recessed portions to each other.
2. The unit of claim 1 , wherein the electrode plates are arranged in such a manner that the slots cross each other.
3. The unit of claim 1 , further comprising an electrode plate provided at the other side of the electrode module and an electrode separator provided between the additional electrode plate and the electrode module.
4. The unit of claim 1 , wherein the electrode module is provided in plurality and the electrode modules are stacked on each other; an electrode separator is further provided between the adjacent electrode modules; and different voltages are applied to the electrode plates of the respective electrode modules through the electrode rods.
5. A cartridge for producing sterilized water by sterilizing water supplied through a water inlet by underwater discharge and discharging the sterilized water to the outside through a water outlet, the cartridge comprising:
the unit of claim 1 ; and
a case accommodating the unit,
wherein the case consists of a bottom case provided with the water inlet and a top case provided with the water outlet.
6. The cartridge of claim 5 , wherein the water inlet is formed on the lower surface of the bottom case and the water outlet is formed on the upper or side surface of the top case.
7. The cartridge of claim 5 , further comprising a flow guiding member having a plurality of guide holes installed between the unit and the water inlet of the bottom case.
8. The cartridge of claim 5 , further comprising a UV light-emitting diode (UV LED) having sterilization performance installed within the case.
9. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the water inlet is positioned eccentrically on the lower surface of the bottom case and the bottom case has flow guiding grooves formed on the bottom surface thereof to guide the flow of water supplied through the water inlet.
10. The cartridge of claim 5 , further comprising an ultrasonic oscillator fixedly installed in the frame to prevent the formation of scale on the electrode plates.
11. A washing machine comprising the cartridge of claim 5 , a water supply part and a washing tub wherein the water inlet of the cartridge is connected to the water supply part, the water outlet of the cartridge is connected to the washing tub, and sterilized water produced in the cartridge is supplied to the washing tub.
12. The washing machine of claim 11 , further comprising a 3 -way valve as a solenoid valve provided between the water supply part of the washing machine and the water inlet of the cartridge to control the supply of water to the cartridge and the drainage of water.
13. The washing machine of claim 11 , further comprising a feed unit connected to the cartridge to feed a cleaning solution capable of removing scale formed on the electrode plates into the cartridge.