SOFT-WATER WASHER CAPABLE OF AUTOMATICALLY

REGENERATING ION EXCHANGE RESIN Technical Field [1] The present invention relates to a soft- water washer capable of automatically re¬ generating ion exchange resin, and more particularly to the soft-water washer in which salt concentration can be automatically adjusted as the predetermined amount of the salt is supplied Background Art [2] Generally, a soft water washer includes a water-softener therein so as to make it possible to soften water using the ion exchange resin and then washes the objects using the soft-water obtained. [3] However, the conventional soft water washer requires that a user should prepare salt water of a proper concentration and that he should pour it into the soft water washer in order to regenerate the ion exchange resin. Thus, not only because the user suffers from the inconvenience for preparing the salt water of proper concentration, but also because of the fact that large amount of the soft water needed for washing cannot be repeatedly produced, it is actually impossible to put the soft water washer in practice. [4] An example of the conventional soft water washer disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0176676 will be described below. [5] Figure 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the washer disclosed in Korean patent Publication No. 10-0176676. A soft water container 7 is installed in the washer, a supply tube 25 is provided at an upper part of a rear side of the washer and a salt water container 1 is installed on the supply tube 25. The soft water container 7 includes the ion exchange resin therein, so that some components in the water inflow for washing, such as Ca + or Mg + can be removed to thereby reduce the hardness of the washing water producing the soft water. The salt water container 1 is received in a separate casing 3 and the casing 3 is supported and fixed by a support bar 31. An upper part of the support bar 31 is coupled to the casing by means of a number of screws 33 and a lower part of the support bar 31 is coupled to the rear surface of the washer, so that the support bar 31 serves to couple the washer and the casing 3 to each other. [6] When the washing operation starts, a supply valve 15 opens and the external supply of the water through the supply tube 25 begins, thus the washing water is supplied into the soft water container 7. Here, since a drain valve 11 for the soft water container is in a closed state and a soft water supply valve 13 is in a open state, the washing water begins to flow into a washing bucket 8 through a soft water supply tube 23. [7] After completing washing through these processes, the regeneration of the ion exchange resin begins for the purpose of preparing the next washing. The regeneration process is to clean the ion exchange resin by supplying the salt water contained in the salt-water container 1 to the soft water container 7. When a regeneration valve 17 opens, which is provided for opening and closing a regeneration supply tube 27 connecting between the salt-water container 1 and the soft water container 7, the salt water in the salt-water container 1 flows into the soft water container 7 and cleans the ion exchange resin. Here, since the soft water container drain valve 11 is in an open state and the soft water supply valve 13 is in a closed state, the salt water used for cleaning the ion exchange resin is discharged outside through the drain tube 21. [8] The salt-water container 1 may be manufactured in larger scale because the spatial restriction does not affect the installation of the salt water container. Such is contrary to the case in which the salt water container 1 is installed in the washer. [9] When the salt water needs to be supplied, the salt water container 1 is disassembled from the casing 3, and the salt and the water are poured through the inlet 4 and mixed together. Afterward, the salt water container 1 is assembled to the casing 3 while the inlet 4 facing downward. Here, the way of forming the inlet of the salt water container 1 is similar to that of forming a cap of a humidifier. Thus, before being received in the casing 3, the salt water container is closed not to leak even in an upside-down state. On the other hand, the salt water container 1 is preferably opened by an extension of the regeneration supply tube 27, which protrudes into the casing 3. [10] In the example shown in the drawing, the casing 3 is shown to be fixed and supported by the support bar 31. Alternatively, the casing may be fixed to and supported by the wall where the washer is located. In the latter case, separate fastening means for attaching to the wall is needed. The fastening means may be simply obtained in such a way that the casing is hanged on a nail on the wall. It is also possible to achieve stronger fixation by combining the way of fixing to the wall with the way of using the support bar 31. Otherwise, it is possible to fix the support bar 31 to the wall. [11] The salt water container 1 has a predetermined width in a vertical direction and a see-through portion 6 formed of transparent material. The user can see exhaustion of the salt water via the see-through portion 6 and timely re-supply the salt water. [12] The above-described water softener of the washer has the advantage in that it is convenient for the user to operate the washer in one sense, because the location of the salt water container outside of the washer makes it possible to enlarge the volume of the salt water container and to prevent the frequent supply of the slat water and that the amount of the salt-water may be easily determined via the see-through portion formed in the salt-water container. [13] Nevertheless, the above described soft water washer has the problem in that it is not convenient on the other sense, because the user himself/herself should prepare the salt water of the proper concentration by mixing the salt and the water and pour the salt water into the washer. [14] Further, due to the fact that the user should prepare the salt water at his hand, when the concentration of the salt water exceeds the appropriate level, some of the salt remains in the ion exchange resin making the water for washing salty. On the other hand, the concentration of the salt water goes below the appropriate level, the complete regeneration of the ion exchange resin cannot be achieved and the large amount of the salt water needed for washing cannot be repeatedly produced. Thus, it is rather difficult to put the soft-water washer into practice. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [15] In consideration of those problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a soft water washer capable of repeatedly producing large amount of soft water necessary to washing operation in order to obviate any inconveniences. Here, the soft water washer is achieved by combining a water softener with the washer. The water softener installed in the soft water washer can automatically produce the salt water of predetermined concentration when the user pours the certain amount of the salt and regenerate the ion exchange resin using the salt water obtained. Technical Solution [16] In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a soft water washer comprising: a water supply tube for supplying the water to the washer; a water supply valve for controlling water flow through the water supply tube; a soft water processing unit for softening water supplied through the water supply valve, supplying the water to a washing bucket through a washing water supply tube, mixing salt supplied through a salt tube with the washing water to produce salt water of predetermined con¬ centration and regenerating ion exchange resin; a soft water selection valve for switching the supply flow of the water supplied to the soft water processing unit so as to directly supply the water into the washing bucket through the washing water supply tube; and a drain valve for selectively draining through a drain tube the salt water used for regeneration of the ion exchange resin in the soft water processing unit. Advantageous Effects [17] As described herein before, since the soft water washer according to the present invention may make use of the soft water during the washing process, the amount of detergent used for washing may be only about 20 % of that needed in the conventional washer. As a result, it is not only economical, but also possible to prevent the envi¬ ronmental pollution resulting from the excessive use of the detergent. Also, since it is not necessary to boil the laundry due to the reinforced capability in washing, energy saving is possible during washing. Because the soft water may be used in secondary rinsing process, the fiber can be maintained in a flexible state even without usual use of agent for fiber flexibility. Further, a patient with sensitive skin can effectively avoid any skin trouble, such as atopy dermatitis. [18] The soft water washer according to the present invention performs sequences of au¬ tomatically producing the salt water of predetermined concentration and automatically regenerating the ion exchange resin, if only the user supplies the salt. Thus, the user does not have to adjust the concentration of the salt water by himself/herself, so that the convenience is improved. [19] Also, since it is always possible to use the salt water of the exact concentration, the problems, such as the salt remaining in the ion exchange resin due to the over con¬ centration or the incomplete regeneration of the ion exchange resin due to the under concentration can be solved. [20] Another available effect obtained by using the salt water of the exact concentration is that the duration of whole regeneration processes and other conditions can be optimized and automated. [21] The soft water washer according to the present invention may make its appearance more atheistic than the conventional washer with the salt water tank located outside, and facilitate the installation thereof. Brief Description of the Drawings [22] Figure 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the conventional washer. [23] Figure 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the soft water washer according to the present invention. [24] Figure 3 is a detailed explanatory view of the soft water processing unit as shown in Figure 2 . Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [25] Figure 2 shows a soft water washer capable of automatically regenerating ion exchange resin including a soft water processing unit that may be applied to according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the soft water washer comprises: a water supply tube 100 for supplying water to the washer, a water supply valve 110 for controlling water flow through the water supply tube 100 and a soft water processing unit 200 for softening the washing water supplied through the water supply valve 110, supplying the water to a washing bucket 130 through a washing water supply tube 160, mixing salt supplied through a salt tube 220 with the water to produce salt water of predetermined concentration and regenerating ion exchange resin; a soft water selection valve 120 for switching supply flow of the water from the soft water processing unit 200 so as to directly supply the water into the washing bucket 130 through the washing water supply tube 160; a drain valve 140 for selectively draining through a drain tube 150 the salt water that has been used for regeneration of the ion exchange resin in the soft water processing unit 200. [26] Figure 3 is a detailed explanatory view of the soft water processing unit 200. As shown in the drawing, the soft water processing unit comprises: a salt water container 210 serving as a case; a head assembly 250 coupled to inner and upper side of the salt water container 210 and having a plurality of solenoid valves, wherein the head assembly 250 causes the water supplied through the water supply tube 100 to flow into the ion exchange resin so as to soften it and send it to the washing bucket 130 or wherein the head assembly 250 controls supply and circulation of the water necessary for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin; a soft water container 260 coupled to a lower side of the head assembly 250 to store the soft water; ion exchange resin 270 stored in the salt water container 260; the salt tube 220 located at a side of the head assembly 250 and extended to an upper side of the soft water washer; a salt net 280 fixed within the salt water container 210 at a location spaced apart from a bottom thereof and receiving the salt supplied through the salt tube 220; a salt water tube 230 for injecting the water onto the salt net 280 so as to facilitate dissolution of the salt and causing the salt water to flow to the ion exchange resin 270 by means of the head assembly 250; and a level sensor 240 sensing level of the salt water to obtain exact concentration of the salt water. [27] Hereinafter, more detailed description will be followed. [28] The head assembly 250 includes in a center thereof a number of channels, each of which has different path from one another. A number of solenoid valves, each of which is controlled by a controller 300 in the washer, are located within the channels, re¬ spectively. With this configuration, it is possible to supply the hard water and produce the soft water, to supply the water into the salt water container 210 through the salt water tube 230, and to cause the salt water to flow toward the ion exchange resin 270 in the water container 260 after producing the salt water of exact concentration. [29] In other words, each of steps for regenerating the ion exchange resin, such as reverse cleaning, precipitating, re- activating, extruding and water cleaning is auto¬ matically performed. [30] Also, the salt water container 210 is made from the plastic material and has an integral configuration, so that it may contain the water and facilitate installing the salt net 280. [31] The operation processes of the soft water washer according to the present invention will be detailed below. [32] Initially, the user puts the laundry into the washing bucket 130, pours the salt in either an automatic manner or a manual manner and pushes a button for automatic washing. [33] The control unit 300 sensing these operations determines the amount of the laundry, determines the amount of the supply water and opens the water supply valve 110 so as to let the washing water flow through the water supply tube 100. [34] Here, the whole operational processes of the washer may be divided into washing, first rinsing, second rinsing and de-watering. In consideration of life span of the ion exchange resin, the soft water is used only in the processes of the washing and the second rinsing, both of which can maximize washing effect, detergent saving effect and improvement in washing capability. [35] In other words, the soft water selection valve 120 is so controlled in the processes of the washing and the second rinsing that the washing water flowing through the water supply tube 120 flows into the soft water processing unit 200. [36] Afterward, the soft water processing unit 200 softens through the ion exchange resin 270 the washing water, flow path of which is controlled through the head assembly 250. The washing water is softened flowing along a direction indicated with an arrow A. [37] The softened water flows into the washing bucket 130 through the washing water supply tube 160. When the washing water proper to the washing process flows into the washing bucket 130, the controller 300 closes the water supply valve 110 to block the water supply. [38] Then, the controller 300 rotates the washing bucket 130 to perform the washing process. [39] After performing the washing process during a predetermined time, the rotation of the washer 130 pauses and the washing water is discharged. [40] Then, when completing the discharge of the washing water, the controller 300 performs the rinsing processes. [41] The rinsing processes need the water. Here, the first rinsing process is performed using the hard water other than the soft water. However, the second rinsing process is performed using the soft water. [42] In order to make it possible to perform the first rinsing process using the hard water, the controller 300 controls the soft water selection valve 120 to cause the water supplied through the supply tube 100 to flow into the washing bucket 130 through the washing water supply tube 160 by opening the water supply valve 110. [43] The hard water sufficiently fill the washing bucket 130 in this manner, the first rinsing process begins. [44] After finishing the first rinsing process, the second rinsing process is performed like the first rinsing process, save that the hard water inflow is blocked, but the soft water inflow is permitted. [45] Then, when all the rinsing processes are completed, the dewatering process is performed rotating the washing bucket 130 without the water supply. [46] As described hereinbefore, among all the processes including washing, first rinsing, second rinsing and dewatering, the soft water is used in washing process and the second rinsing process, and the hard water is used in the first rinsing process. Thus, the life span of the ion exchange resin may be extended. [47] Hereinafter, characteristic steps for regenerating the ion exchange resin according to the present invention, such as reverse cleaning, precipitating, re- activating, extruding and water cleaning will be more specifically described. [48] When the user pushes a regeneration button installed at a certain location on the washer, then the controller 300 starts the pre-set operation in consideration of flow speed and controls valves corresponding to the reverse cleaning. [49] In the step of reverse cleaning, the solenoid valves provided in the head assembly 250 are activated by the controller, so that the water supplied through the supply tube 100 is provided into the water container 260 in the soft water processing unit 200. At this time, the water flow direction in the water container 260 is opposite to that while producing the soft water. [50] In other words, the water flows in the direction indicated with solid-line arrow "A" while producing the soft water, but it flows in the direction with dotted- line arrow "B" in the step of the reverse cleaning. [51] By means of such reverse cleaning, the colloids or the suspension substances ac¬ cumulated in the ion exchange resin 70 are floated and deployed. [52] In the step of reverse cleaning, the controller 300 may sense the temperature of the water and determine the speed of the water flow. [53] In order to sense the temperature of the water, a temperature sensor connected to the controller 300 may be further provided. [54] After carrying out the above-described step of reverse cleaning in consideration of the speed of the water flow depending on the water temperature and the duration of the reverse cleaning, the step of precipitating is followed. [55] The step of precipitating is to make the colloids and the suspension substances pre¬ cipitated. The controller 300 controls all the solenoid valves to be closed so as to prevent the water within the water softener from flowing. This step causes all the solenoid valves and the water supply valves to be closed so as to block the water supply. [56] The step of precipitating is to promote the re-activation effect of the ion exchange resin layer, which has been suspended and deployed in the step of the reverse cleaning. The step of precipitating suspended materials is set to continue for five minutes during which the water flow is blocked. [57] In the step of re- activating, the user pours the salt through a salt inlet 220. [58] Here, the salt poured though the salt inlet 20 may be a commercial package weighing 500 g or 1 Kg. The amount of the salt may be determined depending on the capacity of the soft water processing unit 200. [59] By using packaged salt and pouring a pack of the packaged salt with a pre¬ determined weight without separately weighing the amount of the salt before pouring, the user can produce the salt water of the exact concentration. [60] The user can pour the salt, either before pushing the regeneration button to start re¬ generating the ion exchange resin or during the step of precipitating. [61] The salt poured through the salt inlet 220 by the user is disposed on the salt net 280 installed in the salt water bucket 210. [62] In this state, after completing the step of precipitating, the controller 300 causes the water to be drawn into the salt water bucket 210 through the salt water tube 230. [63] Here, an injection cap 231, which is provided with a number of pores for injecting the water, is fitted to an end of the salt water tube 230. The water drawn is injected onto the salt on the salt net 280 to make the salt dissolved with easy. [64] As described, the automatically drawn water dissolves the salt to produce the salt water. When the level of the salt water is sensed by the level sensor 240, the water inflow will be stopped so that the salt water of the exact concentration may be obtained. [65] Referring back to Figure 3, the reference number 290 designates the surface of the salt water. When the water dissolving the salt reaches the level designated with the 290, it is sensed by the level sensor 240 and the then the water inflow stops. Thus, the salt water of the exact concentration can be obtained. [66] In other words, if the user pours a certain amount of the slat, it is possible to dissolve the poured salt in automatic manner and to obtain the salt water with the exact concentration of the salt. [67] As such, after obtaining the salt water of the predetermined concentration, the salt water is discharged toward the ion exchange resin 270 through the salt water tube 230 so as to regenerate the ion exchange resin 270. [68] The salt water tube 230 is configured to have one end thereof connected with an injection cap 231 and bent upward. Also, a tube for producing the salt water and a tube for discharging the salt water may be included as different elements. [69] After performing the step of re- activating, the step of extruding will follow. [70] The step of extruding has the solenoid valves operated according to control of the controller 300 and the salt water flow through the ion exchange resin 270, so that the salt left remained in the ion exchange resin 270 may be removed. [71] Then, the step of cleaning has the water drawn through the water supply tube 100 and passed through the ion exchange tube 270. The water passed through the ion exchange resin 270 may be discharged through the drain tube 150 depending on a state of the drain valve 140. [72] With those steps, the ion exchange resin 270 may be regenerated. [73] The duration of the step of cleaning is determined in consideration of the hardness of the water discharged through the valve. Another sensor may be included for sensing the hardness of the water. [74] As described herein before, only by pouring the salt, the salt water of the pre¬ determined concentration can be automatically produced and the ion exchange resin can be automatically regenerated using the salt water thereby. [75] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.