WATER SOFTENING SYSTEM

Disclosed is a water softening system for removing an ionic material contained in source water supplied from a water source and providing soft water to a source of demand, including a filter unit that removes the least a portion of the ionic material contained in the source water based on an electric force and discharge the soft water, a supply passage that supplies the source water to the filter unit, a discharge passage that discharges water from the filter unit, a circulation passage connecting the discharge passage and the supply passage, a filter management material provider that provides a filter management material used to manage a performance of the filter unit to water that flows along the circulation passage, and a pump that pumps, together with the filter management material, the water that flows along the circulation passage to the filter unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a water softening system.

BACKGROUND

A water softening system is a system that produces soft water from source water and supplies the produced soft water to a consumer site. For example, in a water softening system of a points of entry (PoE) type, the consumer site may be a house, and the soft water delivered to a consumer site is in turn delivered to a water faucet, a shower head, and the like that require water.

A filter unit that softens source water by removing an ionic material from the source water is not permanently used, and even when the filter unit is semi-permanently used, it may be smoothly used only when a recycling operation of discharging the collected ionic material is performed periodically.

When a recycling operation is performed, the ionic material may be immediately discharged from the filter unit, but the ionic material may form scales in the filter unit. When scales are formed, an interior of the filter unit may be contaminated. When the scales cover the interior of the filter unit, an area of the interior of the filer unit, in which ions may be adsorbed, may be reduced and may deteriorate a performance of the filter unit. The scales include particulate materials, and may not be smoothly discharged while the recycling operation is performed.

Accordingly, to maintain the performance of the filter unit, a separate descaling process of removing scales formed in the filter unit as well as the recycling operation is necessary. In general, for the descaling process, a scheme of filling citric acid in the filter unit for descaling and discharging the citric acid is used. However, when an amount of scales is excessively large or the scales are firmly stuck to the filter unit, it may not be easy to remove scales only by simply applying the citric acid. Furthermore, when the scales are formed in a death angle area of the filter unit, it is difficult for the citric acid to approach the scales, and thus the scales cannot be easily removed.

Furthermore, biofilms may be formed by germs in the filter unit. The biofilms may contaminate the filter unit similar to the scales, but may not be easily removed by the citric acid. Biofilms may be prevented from being formed by removing the germs in the filter unit through a sterilization process.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a water softening system having an improved scale removal efficiency.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a water softening system that may remove biofilms.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a water softening system for removing at least a portion of an ionic material contained in source water supplied from a water source and providing soft water, in which a smaller amount of the ionic material is contained than in the source water, to a source of demand includes a filter unit that removes the least a portion of the ionic material contained in the source water based on an electric force and discharge the soft water, a supply passage that supplies the source water to the filter unit, a discharge passage that discharges water from the filter unit, a circulation passage connecting the discharge passage and the supply passage, a filter management material provider that provides a filter management material used to manage a performance of the filter unit to water that flows along the circulation passage, and a pump that pumps, together with the filter management material, the water that flows along the circulation passage to the filter unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. Throughout the specification, it is noted that the same or like reference numerals denote the same or like components even though they are provided in different drawings. Further, in the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear.

In addition, terms, such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present disclosure. The terms are provided only to distinguish the components from other components, and the essences, sequences, orders, and the like of the components are not limited by the terms. When it is described that one element is connected, coupled, or electrically connected to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but a third element may be connected, coupled, or electrically connected between the elements.

FIG. 1is a conceptual view of a water softening system1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to the drawing, a water softening system1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes filter units11and12a supply passage20, a discharge passage30, a circulation passage50, a filter management material provider70, and a pump60. The water softening system1according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a supply valve230, discharge valves330and340, drainage valves350and360, circulation valves530and540, a bypass passage400and a processor (not illustrated). While including the constituent elements, the water softening system1may remove at least a portion of an ionic material contained in source water supplied from a water source and provide soft water, in which a smaller amount of the ionic material is contained than in the source water, to a source of demand. The water softening system1may selectively perform a soft water mode for discharging soft water from the filter units11and12, and a filter management mode for managing the filter units11and12. Managing the filter units11and12refers to performing at least one of descaling or sterilizing the filter units11and12.

The supply passage20is a passage that is configured to supply source water to the filter units11and12. The supply passage20may supply source water from the water source to the filter units11and12. The supply passage20may have a tubular shape having an empty interior such that the source water provided from the water source is delivered to the filter units11and12

The supply passage20may include a water source passage23, in which the source water received from the water source flows, and water introduction passages21and22connecting the water source passage23and the filter units11and12. A illustrated, a plurality of water introduction passages21and22may be arranged in parallel. That is, the source water delivered from the water source passage23may be branched through the plurality of water introduction passages21and22and may be delivered to the filter units11and12. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, although a total of two water introduction passages21and22such that a first water introduction passage21and a second water introduction passage22are disposed in parallel, a configuration of the supply passage20is not limited thereto, and a plurality of water introduction passages21and22may be connected to the water source.

The water introduction passages21and22connect the water source and the filter units11and12. A first water introduction passage21may be connected to a first filter unit11and a second water introduction passage22may be connected to a second filter unit12. Here, the meanings of “being connected” includes a case of “being directly connected” and a case of “being indirectly connected through another element”.

A supply valve230may be formed in the supply passage20to determine opening/closing of the passage. When the supply valve230is disposed in the water source passage23, only one supply valve230is sufficient. However, when the plurality of water introduction passages21and22are disposed, supply valves230, the number of which corresponds to the number of the water introduction passages21and22will be necessary. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is described that the supply valve230is disposed in the water source passage23.

The circulation passage50is connected to the supply passage20. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a first upstream side circulation passage31and a second upstream side circulation passage32included in the circulation passage50may be connected to the first water introduction passage21and the second water introduction passage22.

The discharge passage30is a passage that is configured to discharge water from the filter units11and12. In a removal mode of collecting the ionic material in the source water by the filter units11and12, soft water is discharged through the discharge passage30, but in a recycling mode, reclaimed water having a larger amount of the ionic material than an amount of the ionic material contained in the source water is discharged, and in a filter management mode, water containing at least one of the removed scales and the residuals obtained as a result of the sterilization is discharged.

The discharge passage30include water exit passages3132,33, and34for delivering the water from the filter units11and12to the source of demand, and drainage passages35and36connected to the water exit passages31,32,33, and324to drain the water discharged from the filter units11and12. With respect to locations, at which the drainage passages35and36are connected to the water exit passages31,32,33, and34, the water exit passages31,32,33, and34may be divided into upstream side water exit passages31and32and downstream side water exit passages33and34.

Because the plurality of filter units11and12are provided, the number of discharge passages30also may correspond to the number of the filter units11and12, or the discharge passages30may be branched, and may be connected to the filter units11and12. The water exit passages31,32,33, and34may include a plurality of upstream side water exit passages31and connected to the plurality of filter units11and12, respectively, and a plurality of downstream side water exit passages33and34that are continuous therefrom, respectively. The discharge passage30may include a source-of-demand passage37, in which the plurality of downstream side water exit passages33and34gather. The plurality of drainage passages35and36also may be provided, and may be connected to the water exit passages31,32,33, and34.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first water exit passages31and33may be connected to the first filter unit11, and the second water exit passages32and34may be connected to the second filter units12. That is, a first upstream side water exit passage31may be connected to the first filter unit11and a second upstream side water exit passage32may be connected to the second filter unit12. The first downstream side water exit passage33and the first drainage passage35may be connected to the first upstream side water exit passage31, and the second downstream side water exit passage34and the second drainage passage36may be connected to the second upstream side water exit passage32. The first downstream side water exit passage33and the second downstream side water exit passage34may be connected to and merge with the source-of-demand passage37. However, a configuration of the discharge passage30is not limited thereto.

The discharge valves330and340are constituent elements disposed in the discharge passages30, respectively, to adjust opening/closing of the discharge passages30, and may open or close the discharge passages30as opening degrees thereof are adjusted. When the discharge passages30are closed by the discharge valves330and340, the water is not delivered to a source of demand through the closed discharge passages30. When the discharge passages30are opened by the discharge valves330and340, the water may be delivered to the source of demand through the opened water exit passages31,32,33, and34, which will be described below, or may be discharged or recovered through the drainage passages35and36, which will be described below. The discharge passages30may have shapes of a hollow tubular body such that the water provided from the filter units11and12flows.

The discharge valves330and340may be disposed in the discharge passages30to determine opening/closing of the discharge passages30. When the discharge valves330and340are disposed in the source-of-demand passage37, only one discharge valve is sufficient. However, when the discharge valves330and340are disposed in the plurality of water exit passages31,32,33, and34, the number of the discharge valves330and340needs to correspond to the number of the water exit passages31,32,33, and34. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is described that the discharge valves330and340are disposed in the water exit passages31,32,33, and34That is, the first discharge valves330may be disposed in the first water exit passages31and34, and the second discharge valves340may be disposed in the second water exit passages32and34.

The discharge valves330and340may be disposed in the downstream side water exit passages33and34, respectively. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first discharge valve330may be disposed in the first downstream side water exit passage33, and the second discharge valve340may be disposed in the second downstream side water exit passage34. Accordingly, the discharge valves330and340may not interrupt the water from being delivered from the upstream side water exit passages31and32to the drainage passages35and36.

At least one of the discharge valves330and340may be controlled by the processor to be maintained in an opened state during an operation of the water softening system1. Then, the discharge valves330and340that are maintained in the opened state may be the discharge valves330and340disposed in the discharge passages30connected to the filter units11and12that perform a removal mode. Accordingly, even while any one of the filter units11and12perform a recycling mode, the soft water discharged from the filter units11and12that perform the removal mode may be delivered to the source of demand. Accordingly, the plurality of filter units11and12are provided as in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter units11and12alternately perform the recycling mode and the removal mode, and the discharge valves330and340are controlled in correspondence to the modes, and thus the soft water may be provided with no stop.

The circulation passage50is connected to the discharge passage30. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a first downstream side circulation passage53and a second downstream side circulation passage54included in the circulation passage50may be connected to the first drainage passage35and the second drainage passage36. However, the circulation passage50may be connected to the water exit passages31,32,33, and34.

The drainage passages35and36are constituent elements that are connected to the water exit passages31,32,33, and34to drain the water in the water in the water exit passages31,32,33, and34.

The water that has passed through the filter units11and12may be discharged through the drainage passages35and36. In particular, when the filter units11and12are operated in the recycling mode, the reclaimed water discharged through the water exit passages31,32,33, and34may be drained to the outside through the drainage passages35and36to be discarded.

However, the water is not always discharged, and whether the water is to be discharged and an amount of the discharged water may be adjusted. Accordingly, the drainage valves350and360may be provided in the drainage passages35and36for opening and closing the drainage passages35and36. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, because the drainage passages35and36include the first drainage passage35and the second drainage passage36, the first drainage valve350may be disposed in the first drainage passage35and the second drainage valve360may be disposed in the second drainage passage36.

When the circulation passage50is connected to the drainage passages35and36, the circulation passage50may be connected to one site of the drainage passages35and36located on an upstream side of the drainage valves350and360with respect to a direction, in which the water flows along the drainage valves350and360. Accordingly, the flows of the water in the circulation passage50may be restricted by the drainage valves350and360.

The circulation passage is a passage that forms a closed circuit including the supply passage20, the filter units11and12, the discharge passages30, and the circulation passage50by connecting the discharge passages30and the supply passage20. Accordingly, the water may circulate along the above-described circuit of the circulation circuit50, and when the water carries the filter management material, the filter units11and12may be descaled or sterilized while the water circulates.

The circulation passage50may include upstream side circulation passages51and52, downstream side circulation passages53and54, a common circulation passage55connecting the upstream side circulation passages51and52and the downstream side circulation passages53and54. The upstream side circulation passages51and52may be connected to the common passage20, and the downstream side circulation passages53and54may be connected to the discharge passage30. The upstream side circulation passages51and52may be connected to one site of the supply passage20that is located on a downstream side of the supply valve230with respect to a direction, in which the water flows in the supply passage20. The downstream side circulation passages53and54may be connected to one site of the discharge passage30that is located on an upstream side of the discharge valves330and340with respect to a direction, in which the water flows in the discharge passage30. Accordingly, in a situation, in which the supply valve230and the discharge valves330and340are closed, water may circulate along the circulation passage50.

The circulation valves530and540may be disposed to open and close the circulation passage50. In detail, the first circulation valve530and the second circulation valve540may be disposed in the first downstream side circulation passage53and the second downstream side circulation passage54, respectively. However, disposition locations of the circulation valves530and540are not limited thereto.

The pump60may be disposed in the circulation passage50to pump the water in the circulation passage50. Because the filter management material may flow in the circulation passage50together with the water, the pump60may pump the filter management material to the filer units11and12together with the water. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump60may pump the water in the supply passage20to the discharge passage30through the circulation passage50together with the filter management material.

Filter Management Material Provider70

The filter management material provider70may be provided in the circulation passage50to provide the filter management material used to manage performances of the filter units11and12to the water that flows along the circulation passage50. Being used to manage the performances of the filter units11and12means that the performances of the filter units11and12are maintained or the performances of the filter units11and12, the performances of which deteriorated, are improved by removing scales formed in the filter units11and12or sterilizing the germs in the filter units11and12to prevent formation of biofilms. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is described that the filter management material provider70and the pump60are disposed in the common circulation passage5. However, the filter management material provider70and the pump60may be disposed at another portion of the circulation passage50, and a plurality of filter management material providers70and a plurality of pumps60may be disposed inn the drainage passages35and36and the water introduction passages21and22.

The filter management material provider70may include at least one of citric acid and a sterilization material as the filter management material. Accordingly, the filter management material provider70may include a citric acid storage tank for storing citric acid as the filter management material and discharging the citric acid. The citric acid stored in the citric acid storage tank may be provided to the filter units11and12to be used to remove scales as the water in the circulation tank50flows.

The filter management material provider70may include an electrolysis/sterilization module. The electrolysis/sterilization module may generate the sterilization material as the filter management material by applying electricity to the water and discharge the generated sterilization material. The electrolysis/sterilization module may include a sterilization material generator configured to generate the sterilization material by using electricity, and a sterilization material storage tank for storing the generated sterilization material. The sterilization material generator may be controlled by the processor, and may be operated for a least a portion of a period of time, for which the pump60is not operated, to generate the sterilization material that is to be stored in the sterilization material storage tank and store the generated sterilization material in the sterilization material storage tank. The stored sterilization material may be provided to the filter units11and12as the water flows in the circulation passage50, and may be used to prevent generation of biofilms through sterilization.

The filter units11and12are constituent elements that generate the soft water by removing ionic material in the source water. The filter units11and12are provided in the supply passages20, respectively, and may discharge the soft water including less ion material than the source water by removing at least a portion of the ionic material included in the supplied source water by an electrical force. The operation mode may be referred to as the removal mode. The filter units11and12may discharge the reclaimed water including more ionic material than that source water by discharging the ionic material collected in the removal mode together with the supplied source water. The operational state may be referred to as the recycling mode. The filter units11and12may selectively perform any one of the removal mode and the recycling mode. Although it has been described that the plurality of filter units11and12are provided and the two filter units11and12including the first and second filter units11and12are disposed, the configurations thereof are not limited thereto.

The filter units11and12may remove the ionic material in an electrical deionization scheme. In more detail, the scheme of removing the ionic material includes the electrical deionization scheme. When a DC voltage is applied to charged particles in an electrolyte, positive charged particles travel to a negative electrode and negative charged particles travel to a positive electrode. This is called electrophoresis. The electrical deionization scheme refers to a scheme of removing ionic materials in water by adsorbing or moving the ionic material through electrodes or an ion exchange membrane based on a principle of an electrical force (electrophoresis).

The electrical deionization scheme includes schemes, such as electrodialysis (ED), Electro deionization (EDI), continuous electro deionization (CEDI), and capacitive deionization (CDI) The filter units11and12in an ED scheme includes electrodes and an ion exchange membrane. Furthermore, the filter units11and12in an EDI scheme includes electrodes, an ion exchange membrane, and an ion exchange resin. In contrast, the filter units11and12in the CDI scheme include neither an ion exchange membrane nor an ion exchange resin, or does not include an ion exchange resin.

The filter units11and12according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may remove the ionic material in, among the electrical deionization schemes, the capacitive deionization (CDI) scheme. The CDI scheme refers to a scheme of removing ions by using a principle of adsorbing and desorbing ions (or ionic material) to and from a surface of an electrode with an electrical force.

FIG. 2is a conceptual view illustrating a principle of removing an ionic material in a CDI scheme.FIG. 3is a conceptual view illustrating a principle of recycling an electrode in a CDI scheme.

Referring further toFIGS. 2 and 3, the removal mode and the recycling mode in the CDI scheme will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 2, in a state, in which a voltage is applied to electrodes, water containing ions passes between the electrodes, negative ions travel to a positive electrode and positive ions travel to a negative electrode. That is, adsorption occurs. Due to the adsorption, ions in the water may be removed. In this way, a method of, by the filter units11and12, removing an ionic material in the water that passes through the filter units11and12is called the removal mode.

However, adsorption capacities of the electrodes are limited. Accordingly, adsorption continues, the electrodes reach a state, in which ions cannot be adsorbed any more. To prevent this, it is necessary to desorb the ions adsorbed to the electrode to recycle the electrodes. To achieve this, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a voltage that is opposite to a voltage applied to the electrodes in the removal mode may be applied or a voltage may not be applied. In this way, a mode of recycling the electrodes by the filter units11and12is called the recycling mode. The recycling mode may be performed before or after the removal mode.

Accordingly, for the operation, the filter units11and12may include electrodes. The filter units11and12may selectively perform any one of the removal mode of removing the ionic material in the electrical deionization scheme through the electrode, and the recycling mode of recycling the electrodes. Accordingly, when the source water is supplied to the filter units11and12, the soft water may be generated by removing a portion of the ionic material in the source water and may be discharged by the filter units11and12in the removable mode, and the ionic material of the electrodes is provided to the source water and the water, of which the content of the ionic material has been increased, may be discharged by the filter units11and12in the recycling mode.

The filter units11and12, as descried above, may be connected to the supply passages20and the drainage passages35and36to receive the water through the supply passages20and discharge the treated water through the drainage passages35and36. The source water delivered from the water source may be provided to the filter units11and12, and the filter units11and12may generate the source water by removing the ionic material from the provided source water and discharge the generated source water, or generate the reclaimed water by sending out the ionic material and discharge the generated reclaimed water.

The bypass passage40is a passage for supplying the source water to the user when the soft water that has passed through the filter units11and12to the source of demand in the filter management mode. The bypass passage40may connect one site of the supply passage20located on an upstream side of the supply valve230with respect to a direction, in which the water flows, and one site of the discharge passage30located on a downstream side of the discharge valves330and340with respect to a direction, in which the water flows. Accordingly, when the supply valve230and the discharge valves330and340are submerged and the water cannot flow through the filter units11and12, the water may be guided to the bypass passage40.

A bypass valve400may be disposed in the bypass passage40to open and close the bypass passage40. Because the water does not need to flow through the bypass passage40in a situation, in which the soft water may be supplied to the source of demand in the soft water mode, the bypass valve400may be closed. However, in the filter management mode, the soft water cannot be supplied to the source of demand and it is necessary to supply the source water through the bypass passage40, and thus the bypass valve400may be opened.

Processor

The processor is a constituent element including an element that may perform logical operations for performing a control command, and may include a central processing unit (CPU). The processor may be connected to the elements to transmit signals according to the control commands to the element, and may be connected to the sensors and the acquirers to receive the acquired information in a form of signals. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor may be electrically connected to the valves, the filter units11and12, the pump60, and the filter management material provider70included in the water softening system1. Because the processor may be electrically connected to the elements, it may be connected to the elements by wire or may further include a communication module that may perform communication wirelessly for mutual communications.

The water softening system1may further include a storage medium, and control commands performed by the processor may be stored in the storage medium to be utilized. The storage medium may be a device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a server, a volatile medium, or a nonvolatile medium, but the kinds thereof are not limited thereto. In addition, the storage medium may further store data that is necessary to allow the processor to perform an operation.

A scheme of controlling the water softening system1by the processor will be described with reference toFIGS. 4, 5, and 7.FIG. 4is a conceptual view illustrating a situation, in which a water softening system1is operated in a soft water mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, the water softening system1according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be operated in the soft water mode. In the soft water mode, the processor may control the filter units11and12to be operated, control the pump60not to be operated, control the supply valve230and the discharge valves330and340to be opened, and control the bypass valve400to be closed. Furthermore, the processor may control the circulation valves530and540to be closed. Accordingly, the water does not flow through the bypass passage40and the circulation passage50but may be recycled while passing through the filter units11and12or softened by the filter units11and12to be provided to the source of demand.

FIG. 4illustrates a situation, in which the first filter unit11is operated in the removal mode and the second filter unit12is operated in the recycling mode. Accordingly, the first discharge valve330may be opened and the first drainage valve350may be closed such that the source water that has passed through the first filter unit11is softened to be provided to the source of demand. Accordingly, the second discharge valve340may be closed and the second drainage valve360may be opened such that the source water that has passed through the second filter unit12is softened to be provided to the source of demand. When the modes of the first filter unit11and the second filter unit12are converted to the recycling mode and the removal mode, respectively, after lapse of a specific period of time, the operations of the drainage valves350and360and the discharge valves330and340also may be performed in a reverse way.

FIG. 5is a conceptual view illustrating a situation, in which a water softening system1is operated in a filter management mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the filter management mode, the processor may control the supply valve230and the discharge valves330and340to be closed, the operations of the filter units11and12to be stopped, and the pump60to be operated. Furthermore, the processor may control the circulation valves530and540and the bypass valve400to be opened, and control the drainage valves350and360to be closed. Accordingly, the water gets stuck between the supply valve230and the discharge valves330and340, and the above-described closed circuit is constituted. Due to the pump60, the flows of the water may be formed along the closed circuit, and the water may circulate. Then, the filter management material provided by the filter management material provider70located in the circulation passage50may be provided to the water and may circulate together. Accordingly, the filter management material may be provided to the filter units11and12located in the closed circuit, and may sterilize or descale the filer units11and12. Furthermore, the source water may be provided from the water source to the source of demand along the bypass passage40.

As in the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the two filter units11and12are disposed, two closed circuits may be formed. In detail, as indicated by the arrows of the drawings, a closed circuit having a sequence of the first filter unit11—the first drainage passage35—the first downstream side circulation passage53—the common circulation passage55—the first upstream side circulation passage51—the first water introduction passage21, and a closed circuit having a sequence of the second filter unit12—the second drainage passage36—the second downstream side circulation passage54—the common circulation passage55—the second upstream side circulation passage52—the second water introduction passage22maybe formed.

As the filter management material circulates, the contaminants of the filter units11and12may be removed better than when the filter management material stays. Because the water may be sterilized or descaled in a clean in place (CIP) scheme of performing sterilization or descaling while not being accompanied by decomposition by the system, the water softening system1may be easily maintained and repaired.

InFIG. 5, the pump60pumps the water in the discharge passage30to the supply passage20through the circulation passage50together with the filter management material. However, according to a modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump60may be operated in a reverse direction.

FIG. 6is a conceptual view illustrating a situation, in which a water softening system1bis operated in a filter management mode, according to a modification of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to a modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump60bmay pump the water in the supply passage20to the discharge passage30through the circulation passage50together with the filter management material. That is, the water and the filer management material may circulate in a closed circuit in a direction that is opposite to the circulation direction.

When the source water passes through the filter units11and12, a larger amount of the ionic material is located at inlet ends of the filter units11and12than at outlet ends thereof, and scales may be easily formed. As inFIG. 6, when the filter management material, in particular, the citric acid circulates in an opposite direction to a direction, in which the source water passes the filter units11and12, a large amount of scales formed at the inlet ends of the filter units11and12are stricken to easily separate the scales from the filter units11and12.

FIG. 7is a conceptual view illustrating a situation, in which a water softening system1drains water after finishing a filter management mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The processor may control the operation of the pump60to be stopped after lapse of a first period of time from a time point, at which the filter management mode is executed and the operation of the pump60starts. The processor may open the supply valve230and the drainage valves350and360to drain the water discharged from the filter units11and12. Accordingly, the water containing the filter management material and the contaminants may be discharged through the drainage passages35and36.

However, the processor may open the supply valve230and the drainage valves350and360after lapse of a second period of time after the operation of the pump60is stopped. The filter management material stays in the filter units11and12for the second period of time for further descaling or sterilization.

The first period of time may be 2 minutes or less. A total period of time performed in the filter management mode may be 5 minutes or less.

When the water is completely drained, the processor may perform the above-described control such that the water softening system1is operated in the soft water mode again. The processor may control the valves and the pump60to perform the filter management mode for a specific cycle.

The processor may control the electrolysis/sterilization module to be operated for at least a portion of a period of time, for which the pump60is not operated, to generate a sterilization material that is to be stored in the sterilization material storage tank. The citric acid may be supplemented in the citric acid tank by the user.

Meanwhile, the processor may circulate the water a plurality of times. The processor may allow the filter units11and12to be sterilized or descaled by causing the water filled in the circulation passage50to circulate for the above-described first period of time with the pump60after receiving the filter management material from the filter management material provider70, in the filter management mode. Thereafter, the processor may stop the pump60for a third period of time. Thereafter, the processor may control the filter management material provider70to further provide the filter management material to the water filled in the circulation passage50, and may operate the pump60again to sterilize or descale the filter units11and12for a specific period of time at a second time. Thereafter, the processor may drain the water containing the filter management material and the contaminants through the drainage passages35and36by opening the drainage valves350and360. Because the water circulates a plurality of times, the contaminants deposited in the filter units11and12may be initially removed while the water circulates initially, and the residual contaminants may be removed during the next circulation.

Meanwhile, in the filter management mode, the processor may repeatedly control the supply valve230, the drainage valves350and360, and the pump60a plurality of times such that the pump60is operated and then stopped, and the water is drained. That is, the circulation and the discharge of the water may be performed again after the water circulates, is discharged, and is filled again in the circulation passage50through the supply passage20. Accordingly, a cycle of introduction, circulation, and discharge of the water may be repeated a plurality of times in the filter management mode.

Meanwhile, the processor may control the filter management material provider70while causing the water to circulate a plurality of times such that the filter material provided by the filter management material provider70at a first time and the filter material provided by the filter management material provider70at another time may be different. For example, the citric acid may circulate together with the water for descaling at the first time, at which the water circulates, and the sterilization material may circulate together with the water for sterilization at another time. The circulation sequence of the citric acid and the sterilization material may be a sequence of the citric acid-the sterilization material, and may be a sequence of the sterilization material-the citric acid reversely. Furthermore, the processor may cause the citric acid and the sterilization material to be provided together with the water and cause the water to circulate.

Accordingly, scales may be effectively removed.

The biofilms formed in the water softening system may be effectively removed.

Although it may have been described until now that all the elements constituting the embodiments of the present disclosure are coupled to one or coupled to be operated, the present disclosure is not essentially limited to the embodiments. That is, without departing from the purpose of the present disclosure, all the elements may be selectively coupled into one or more elements to be operated. Furthermore, because the terms, such as “comprising”, “including”, or “having” may mean that the corresponding element may be included unless there is a specially contradictory description, it should be construed that another element is not extruded but may be further included. In addition, unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The terms, such as the terms defined in dictionaries, which are generally used, should be construed to coincide with the context meanings of the related technologies, and are not construed as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present disclosure.

The above description is a simple exemplification of the technical spirits of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be variously corrected and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure is not provided to limit the technical spirits of the present disclosure but provided to describe the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical spirits of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the attached claims, and all the technical spirits within the equivalent ranges fall within the scope of the present disclosure.