2. Description of the Background Art According to the UN data, Korea is one of the countries that suffer from a lack of water.

The water supply capacity of Korea is 3.24 billion m2 per year and has a surplus amount of about 2.3 billion m2 (water reservation ratio 7.7%) compared to a demand amount of 30.1 billion m2.

However, as a life standard is enhanced, and industrialization is advanced, the water demand is increased above 1.2% per year, so that the water condition becomes bad. In 2000, the water supply was 3. 38 billion m2, and the water demand was 3.37 billion m2, and the water reservation ratio was decreased to 2. 1%.

In the upcoming 2011, it is expected that the water supply will be 3.51 billion m2, and the water demand will be 3.70 billion m2, so that 2 billion m2 of water will be needed.

In order to overcome the above problems, in a view of the water supply, a dam construction may be one resolution. However, in the case of the dam

construction, an environment destroy may be problem, and the cost is so expensive.

Therefore, it is preferred to prevent the above water lack based on a decrease of the use of water.

In Korea, the daily amount of water consumption is 409S per one person that is higher by 40% compared to the advanced countries.

In particular, the water used in a rest room, washing machine, shower and bath occupies 60-70% in the total amount of water consumption.

Therefore, it is urgently needed to use a water saving apparatus in home or public places.

In order to implement the above demands, the environmental ministry of Korea recommends installing a water saving apparatus in a hotel, public bath, etc. for saving water.

However, the conventional water saving apparatus is directed to supplying water for a certain time (about 2 minutes) by pushing a certain portion of the water saving apparatus one time. In this case, water may be consumed when applying soap. Even when a shower is finished, water is continuously supplied and unnecessarily consumed, so that an inherent function of the conventional water saving apparatus is not implemented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water saving apparatus that overcomes the problems encountered in the conventional art, and the water saving apparatus according to the present invention is capable of decreasing a consumption of water by accurately controlling a water supplying time by the unit of seconds based on an electrical method using a

solenoid and maximizing a water saving effect in such a manner that a user selects a minimum range in time of water use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a water saving apparatus having a coin mechanism capable of computing an amount of water use based on a cost for thereby minimizing water consumption in a public field.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided an automatic water saving apparatus comprising a water saving unit for adjusting a cool water, hot water and cool plus hot water inputted and a water saving time, respectively, a hot water solenoid valve for adjusting a discharge of hot water based on time by electrically operating a valve, a cool water solenoid valve for adjusting a discharge of cool water based on time by electrically operating a valve, a hot water SSR driver provided between the water saving adjusting unit and the hot water solenoid valve for amplifying a small signal from the water saving adjusting unit to a right contact point and generating a large current for thereby controlling the hot water solenoid valve, a cool water SSR driver provided between the water saving adjusting unit and the cool water solenoid valve for amplifying a small signal from the water saving adjusting unit to a right contact point relay and generating a large current for thereby controlling the cool water solenoid valve, a hot water flow amount adjusting screw for adjusting a flow amount of hot water based on an open and close operation of the hot water solenoid valve, a cool water flow amount adjusting screw for adjusting a flow amount of cool water supplied based on an open and close operation of the cool water solenoid valve, and a discharge unit for discharging the supply water adjusted through the hot water and cool water flow amount adjusting screw to the outside.

The water saving adjusting unit includes a key selection input unit for

selecting a water saving time or a cool/hot/cool plus hot water key, a cool/hot water judging unit for judging whether a user selects a cool/hot/cool plus hot water, a time controller for controlling a supply time of cool/hot/cool plus hot water, and an output unit for converting a programmed command into an electrical signal.

When a user selects a cool plus hot water, the same current flows in the hot water SSR driver and the cool water SSR driver.

There are further provided a coin input portion for inputting coins, a coin mechanism input unit for informing a money amount that a user pays to the water saving unit, so that the user uses water by the amount of water corresponding money that the user pays, a money amount comparing unit for judging whether the inputted money is illegal or not and for comparing the inputted money amount with the money amount of actual use, and a balance returning portion for returning balance when there is a balance.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a method for using an automatic water saving apparatus, comprising the steps of a step in which when a cool water is used, a user pushes a cool button and a desired time button, so that only cool water is supplied by the amount corresponding to time number by the units of seconds, a step in which when a hot water is used, a user pushes a hot water button and pushes a desired use time button, so that only hot water is supplied by the amount corresponding time number by the units of seconds, a step in which when a cool plus hot water is used, a user pushes a cool plus hot water button and pushed a use time button, so that cool water and hot water mixed by half are combined and supplied by the amount corresponding to time number by the units of seconds, a step in which when a user wants to

continuously use water, a desired button is pushed again, so that a desired type of water is supplied by the amount corresponding to time number by the units of seconds, and a step in which a user wants to stop the use of water, the user pushes a stop button, so that the supply of water is disconnected.

There is further provided a step in which a user can use water by the amount corresponding money that the user pays.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments o the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic water saving apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the automatic water saving apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the automatic water saving apparatus 10 according to the present invention is capable of adjusting supply water based on a user's selection.

In a key selection input unit 105, a user can select the type of water having a certain temperature (for example, cool water, hot water, and cool plus hot water) and the time of water use, and the adjusted water is supplied through a discharge unit 127.

The construction of the automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a water saving adjusting unit 110 capable of adjusting an inputted cool water, hot water and cool plus hot water and a time of water saving, a hot water solenoid valve 123 for adjusting a discharge of hot water by electrically operating a valve, a cool water solenoid valve 124 for adjusting a discharge of cool water for an adjusted time by electrically operating a valve, a hot water SSR driver 121 provided between the water saving adjusting unit 110 and the hot water solenoid valve 123 for amplifying a small signal from the water saving unit 110 to a right contact point relay and generating a large current for thereby controlling the hot water solenoid valve 123, a cool water SSR drive 122 provided between the water saving adjusting unit 110 and the cool water solenoid valve 124 for amplifying a small signal from the water saving adjusting unit 110 to a right contact point relay and generating a large current for thereby controlling the cool water solenoid valve 124, a hot water flow. amount adjusting screw 125 for adjusting the flow amount of hot water supplied based on an open and close operation of the hot water solenoid valve 123, a cool water flow amount adjusting screw 126 for adjusting the flow amount of cool water based on an open and close

operation of the cool water solenoid valve, and a discharge unit 127 for discharging supply water adjusted through the hot and cool water flow amount adjusting screws 125 and 126 to the outside.

The water saving adjusting unit 110 includes a key selection input unit 105 that operates as a micro CPU chip capable of controlling a supply time of water based on a water use time of a user and selects a water saving time or cool water/hot water/cool plus hot water, a cool/hot water judging unit 103 for judging that a user selects a cool water, hot water or cool plus hot water, a time controller 104 for controlling a supply time of cool, hot, and cool plus hot water, and an output unit 106 for converting a programmed command into an electrical signal.

The cool/hot water judging unit 103 is implemented by the cool/hot/cool plus hot water judging program, and the time controller 104 is implemented by a time control program.

Here, the cool plus hot water represents water in which cool water and hot water are mixed at the same ratio and a proper temperature is maintained therein.

In addition, the cool plus hot water, cool water and hot water are set as a default value. The temperatures of the cool plus hot water, cool water and hot water are adjusted by a user.

The automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention is accurately controlled based on a user's shower use time using a solenoid valve that is an electrical valve instead of a conventional mechanical type or hydraulic type.

In addition, the power unit adapted to supply power to the automatic water saving apparatus according to the present invention may be implemented

by an AC power and a DC power using a certain adapter.

The operation of the water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described.

The user of the automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention selects a certain water temperature among the cool water/hot water/cool plus hot water using the key selection input unit 105, and the user selects a use time of water supplied.

The cool water/hot water judging unit 103 of the water saving adjusting unit 110 judged that a user selects a certain water among the cool water, hot water and cool plus hot water in accordance with the data inputted by the user, and the time controller 104 judges the use time inputted by the user.

W/hen the user judges the type of water and use time, the output unit 106 converts the programs related to the type of water and use time into an electrical signal.

The converted electrical signal is amplified through the hot water/cool water SSR drivers 121 and 122, so that it is possible to control based on the electrical method for driving the water saving apparatus using a larger current.

When an AC power 101 or DC power 102 is applied, the signal amplified by the hot water/cool water SSR drivers 121 and 122 is adapted to open and close the valves of the hot water/cool water solenoids 123 and 124 in accordance with an electrical signal.

In the case that the user selects hot water, the commands related to the type of water and use time judged and controlled by the cool water/hot water judging unit 103 and the time controller 104 of the water saving adjusting unit 110 are converted into an electrical signal by the output unit 106. The electrical signal amplified by the hot water SSR driver 121 is adapted to drive the hot

water solenoid valve 123, so that hot water is supplied through the discharge unit 127.

In the present invention, it is possible to implement an accurate control of the water supply time of the unit of seconds at a desired time by a user based on the electrical control method.

In addition, the hot water flow amount adjusting screw 125 is adapted to adjust the amount of water by adjusting a hydraulic pressure of the supply water when the user selects hot water.

When the user selects cool water, the cool water SSR driver 122, the cool water solenoid valve 124, and the cool water flow amount adjusting screw 126 operate in stead of the hot water SSR driver 121, the hot water solenoid valve 123, and the hot water flow amount adjusting screw 125.

In the case that the user selects cool plus hot water, the hot water/cool water drivers 121 and 122, the hot water/cool water solenoid valves 123 and 124, and the hot water/cool water flow amount adjusting screws 125 and 126 are all driven and are uniformly controlled at the same ratio in the driving method.

In particular, the same current is applied to the hot water SSR driver 121, and the cool water SSR driver 122 based on the electrical control method.

It is possible to prevent a burn due to sudden hot water even when a cool plus hot water is supplied, compared to a mechanical valve or hydraulic valve.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving apparatus 300 according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3, in the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving unit 300 according to the present invention, a coin mechanism is combined with the automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the

present invention.

Here, in the coin mechanism, there are provided a coin input portion 205 for inputting coin, an amount display unit 204 for displaying the amount inputted and balance, a return lever 203 for returning balance by rotating the lever in the case that there is balance, a balance returning portion 202 for returning balance, and a locking apparatus 201 for protecting the amount of the coin mechanism.

In the present invention, the water is supplied by the amount of inputted money by inputting coin or paper money, so that the present invention may be used as one type of the water saving apparatus in a public place.

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving apparatus 300 according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 4, the coin mechanism combined automatic water saving apparatus 300 according to the present invention a coin input portion 331 fore inputting coin, a coin mechanism input unit 332 in which the amount of money paid by the user is informed to the water saving adjusting unit 310, so that the user can use water by the amount of water corresponding the amount of money that the user pays, a money amount judging unit 333 for judging whether the inputted money is illegal or not and comparing the inputted money amount and the actual use amount, a balance returning unit 334 for returning the balance if there is balance, a water saving adjusting unit 310 for adjusting the time of use of cool water/hot water/cool plus hot water by the amount of water that the user pays, a hot water solenoid valve 323 for adjusting the discharge of hot water based on the time by electrically operating the valve, a cool water solenoid valve 324 for electrically operating

the valve and adjusting a cool water discharge based on the adjusted time, a hot water SSR driver 321 provided between the water saving adjusting unit 310 and the hot water solenoid valve 323 for amplifying a small signal from the water saving adjusting unit 310 to a right contact point relay and generating a large current for thereby controlling the hot water solenoid valve 323, a cool water SSR driver 322 provided between the water saving unit 310 and the cool water solenoid valve 324 for amplifying a small signal from the water saving adjusting unit 310 and generating a large current for thereby controlling the cool water solenoid valve 324, a hot water flow amount adjusting screw 325 for adjusting a flow amount of hot water supplied based on an open and close operation of the hot water solenoid valve 323, a cool water flow amount adjusting screw 326 for adjusting the flow amount of cool water supplied based on an open and close operation of the cool water solenoid valve, and a discharge unit 327 for discharging the supply water adjusted through the hot water/cool water flow amount adjusting screws 325 and 326 to the outside.

The water saving adjusting unit 310 includes a key selection input unit 305 that operates as a micro CPU chip capable of controlling a supply time of water based on a water use time of a user and selects a water saving time or cool water/hot water/cool plus hot water, a cool/hot water judging unit 303 for judging that a user selects a cool water, hot water or cool plus hot water, a time controller 304 for controlling a supply time of cool, hot, and cool plus hot water, and an output unit 306 for converting a programmed command into an electrical signal.

The cool/hot water judging unit 303 is implemented by the cool/hot/cool plus hot water judging program, and the time controller 304 is implemented

by a time control program.

As shown in Figure 2, there is provided a construction that a coin mechanism 330 is combined to the automatic water saving apparatus 100 according to the present invention. There are provided a coin input portion 331 for inputting coin, a coin mechanism input portion 332 capable of informing the amount of money that the user pays to the water saving adjusting unit 310 so that the user can uses water by the amount corresponding money that the user pays, a money amount judging unit 333 for judging whether the inputted money is illegal or not and judging the money amount inputted with the actual use amount, and a balance returning unit 334 for returning a balance when there is balance.

As shown in Figure 4, the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving apparatus 300 according to the present invention is directed to the method that water is supplied by the amount corresponding to money that the user pays. Since the construction of the automatic water saving apparatus is similar with the construction of the automatic water saving apparatus 200 of Figure 2, the descriptions of the operation will be omitted.

In particular, the coin mechanism combined type automatic water saving apparatus 300 according to the present invention is directed to implementing water saving effect in such a manner that it is possible to charge by the amount of water that the user uses in public place.

Therefore, the supplier may determine the cost, for example, 100won for the use of water for 10 seconds.

Figure 5 is a view illustrating an outer construction of the key selection input units 105 and 305 of the automatic water saving apparatuses 100 and 300.

As shown in Figure 5, there are provided the selections keys of the cool water, hot water and cool plus hot water, and RGB light emitting diodes corresponding to the cool water, hot water and cool plus hot water. As the time of use by the user, there are 15 seconds (15S), 10 seconds (10S), and 5 seconds (5S).

As shown in Figure 5, the method of use of the automatic water saving apparatuses 100 and 300 according to the present invention will be described.

First, when using cool water, the user pushes the button of the 15S, 10S or 5S of the cool water button COOL, so that only cool water is supplied by the amount corresponding to the pushed number.

When using hot water, the user pushes the hot water button HOT, and then pushes the button of the 15S, 10S or 5S by a desired use time, so that only hot water is supplied by the amount corresponding to the pushed number by the unit of seconds.

When using the cool plus hot water, the user pushes the button of cool plus hot water and pushes the 15S, 10S and 5S, and the water mixed with cool water and hot water at the half ratio is supplied by the unit of seconds.

When the user wants to continuously use water, a desired button is pushed again, so that a corresponding water is supplied by the amount corresponding to the number.

When the user wants to stop the use of water, the user pushes the stop button, so that the supply of water is directly disconnected.

When combining with the coin mechanism, the user can use water by the amount corresponding to money that the user pays.

The outer construction of the key selection input units 105 and 305 is one example of the automatic water saving apparatus according to the present

invention and may be implemented in various modifications.

As described above, the automatic water saving apparatus according to the present invention is capable of decreasing water consumption by accurately controlling the supply time of water by the units of seconds based on an electrical control method using a solenoid valve.

In addition, it is possible to prevent a certain burn due to sudden hot water when supplying cool plus hot water differently from the mechanical type and hydraulic type valves.

The water saving effect is maximized in such a manner that the user selects a time of use in minimum range.

In order to minimize the consumption of water in public field, the present invention provide a coin mechanism type water saving apparatus in which the amount of water use is computed as a cost.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.