WATER PURIFIER AND WATER PURIFIER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SAME

A water purifier comprises: a filter case capable of accommodating a plurality of filters; a frame on which the filter case is attached to be separatable; a latch provided on one of the filter case and the frame; and a locking device which can be placed in one of a locking state, in which the filter case is prevented from being separated from the frame, and an unlocking state, in which the filter case is allowed to be separated from the filter case, when the filter case is attached to the frame. The locking device comprises a locking member which is provided on the other of the filter case and the frame, and is interfered with by the latch when placed in the locking state and moves in the direction away from the latch when switching from the locking state to the unlocking state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a water purifier and a water purifier assembly including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a water purifier is a device that receives water from a water source such as a tap, filters the water into purified water, and then provides the purified water to a user. Such a water purifier filters the water into the purified water using a filter, and the water filtered by the filter flows along a flow path provided inside the water purifier and then is discharged outside the water purifier.

Meanwhile, the filter installed in the water purifier needs to be replaced with a new filter because filtration performance of the filter deteriorates when used for a certain period of time. Like this, when the filter needs to be replaced, the user separates the filter in use from a water purifier body and reinstalls the new filter into the water purifier body.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2018-0135265 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1) entitled “Filter mounting unit and water purifier including the same” of the present applicant discloses a filter member provided to be replaceable from a shelter member and a lever member for fixing the filter member to the shelter member.

However, in Patent Document 1, when the filter member is mounted on the shelter member, a user should rotate the lever member to one side, and when the lever member is not rotated, the filter member interferes with the lever member and cannot be mounted on the shelter member. In addition, when the filter member is mounted on the shelter member in a state where the lever member is rotated to one side, the user should rotate the lever member to the other side, and when the lever member is not rotated to the other side, the lever member cannot fix the filter member to the shelter member.

Accordingly, there is a need for a water purifier in which the lever member can fix the filter member to the shelter member simply by mounting the filter member to the shelter member without even rotating the lever member.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2020-0126662 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 2) entitled “Water purifier” of the present applicant discloses a filter fixing/separating unit capable of fixing a purified water filter to a water purifier body. The filter fixing/separating unit allows the purified water filter to be mounted on the water purifier body without an operation of the user, and can fix the purified water filter mounted on the water purifier body so that the purified water filter does not come off the water purifier body.

However, in Patent Document 2, the filter fixing/separating units should be provided in plural pieces to fix each of the plurality of purified water filters, and when the plurality of purified water filters are replaced from the water purifier main body, there is inconvenience of operating the plurality of filter fixing/separating units separately. In addition, when the filter fixing/separating units are arranged in accordance with the number of purified water filters, a space for arrangement of a plurality of filter fixing/separating units is required, and the cost increases.

Therefore, there is a need for a water purifier that can fix the purified water filter to the water purifier body even when the number of filter fixing/separating units is less than that of the purified water filters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Technical Problems

In view of the above, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water purifier assembly in which a plurality of filters can be replaced at once by simply removing and replacing a filter case accommodating the plurality of filters from a frame.

In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water purifier assembly in which a plurality of filters can be fixed to a frame even when the number of locking devices is less than that of the filters.

In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water purifier assembly in which filters with similar replacement cycles among a plurality of filters are grouped to be accommodated in one filter case, thereby reducing the inconvenience of having to separate the filter case from the frame for each replacement cycle.

In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water purifier assembly in which a connection portion communicating with the filter is arranged to be biased to one side based on an accommodating space, thereby preventing left and right filter cases from being mounted on a frame portion at different positions.

Technical Solution

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a water purifier comprises a filter case configured to accommodate a plurality of filters: a frame on which the filter case is mounted to be separable: a latch provided in any one of the filter case and the frame; and a locking device configured to be placed in any one of a locking state where the filter case is prevented from being separated from the frame and an unlocking state in which the filter case is allowed to be separated from the filter case, when the filter case is mounted on the frame, wherein the locking device includes a locking member that is provided in the other of the filter case and the frame, interferes with the latch when the locking member is in the locking state, and moves in a direction away from the latch when the locking member is switched from the locking state to the unlocking state.

Further, the water purifier further comprises a push member movably supported relative to any one of the filter case and the frame, wherein the locking member moves in the direction away from the latch when the push member is moved toward the locking device, and moves in a direction toward the latch when the push member is moved in a direction away from the locking device.

Further, the push member includes a push body portion and a push guide portion extending from the push body portion toward the locking member and formed such that at least a portion of an upper surface is inclined downward, wherein the locking member includes a locking body portion and a rib portion extending from the locking body portion toward the push member and formed such that at least a portion of a bottom surface is inclined upward, and wherein the rib portion moves in an up-down direction with the bottom surface supported by the upper surface of the push guide portion when the push guide portion moves in a front-rear direction.

Further, the locking device includes an elastic member, wherein the elastic member provides restoring force so that the locking member switches from the unlocking state to the locking state, and the restoring force becomes greater when the locking member is placed in the unlocking state than when placed in the locking state.

Further, the latch includes a wall surface extending upward from an upper surface of the filter case and an inclined surface extending obliquely downward from the wall surface, and the locking member is in surface contact with the wall surface when the locking member is placed in the locking state.

Further, the water purifier assembly comprises a plurality of filters configured to filter water to provide purified water; and a water purifier on which the filter is mounted to be separable, wherein the water purifier includes a filter case configured to accommodate the plurality of filters, a frame on which the filter case is mounted to be separable, a latch provided in any one of the filter case and the frame, and a locking device configured to be placed in any one of a locking state where the filter case is prevented from being separated from the frame and an unlocking state in which the filter case is allowed to be separated from the filter case, when the filter case is mounted on the frame, and wherein the locking device includes a locking member that is provided in the other of the filter case and the frame, interferes with the latch when the locking member is in the locking state, and moves in a direction away from the latch when the locking member is switched from the locking state to the unlocking state.

Further, the filter case further includes a first filter case configured to accommodate a first filter group including some of the plurality of filters and a second filter case configured to accommodate a second filter group including others of the plurality of filters, and wherein an average replacement cycle of the filters of the first filter group is shorter than an average replacement cycle of the filters of the second filter group.

Further, the filter with the longest replacement cycle among the filters in the first filter group has a shorter replacement cycle than the filter with the shortest replacement cycle among the filters in the second filter group.

Further, the filter case includes a first filter case configured to accommodate a first filter group including some of the plurality of filters and a second filter case configured to accommodate a second filter group including others of the plurality of filters, wherein the frame includes a frame portion having a first accommodating space opened toward the front and accommodating the first filter case and a second accommodating space opened toward the front and accommodating the second filter case, a first connection portion disposed to be biased toward one side in the first accommodating space in a left-right direction when viewed from the front and communicating with the filter of the first filter group, and a second connection portion disposed to be biased toward one side in the second accommodating space in the left-right direction when viewed from the front and communicating with the filter of the second filter group, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are disposed on the frame portion so that the first connection portion and the second connection portion are symmetrical to each other with respect to a center of the frame portion when viewed from the front.

Further, the filter case includes a connector portion including a first connector portion connected to any one of the plurality of filters and a second connector portion connected to another one of the plurality of filters, and a housing portion configured to accommodate the plurality of filters and support the first connector portion and the second connector portion, wherein one or more steps are formed in the housing portion, and wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion are supported by the one or more steps so as to be spaced apart from each other in an up-down direction.

Effect of Invention

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to replace a plurality of filters at once by simply removing and replacing a single filter case accommodating the plurality of filters from the frame.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to fix a plurality of filters to a frame even when the number of locking devices is less than that of the filters.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by grouping filters with similar replacement cycles among a plurality of filters and accommodating the grouped filters in one filter case, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience of separating the filter case from the frame for each replacement cycle.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging the connection portion communicating with the filter to be biased to one side based on an accommodating space, it is possible to prevent left and right filter cases from being mounted on the frame portion at different positions.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the technical idea of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, when describing the present disclosure, in a case where it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted.

In addition, when a component is mentioned as being “connected”, “supported”, “inflowed”, “supplied”, or “flowed” to another component, the component may be directly connected to, supported, inflowed, supplied, or flowed into the other component, but it should be understood that other components may exist therebetween.

The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, or the like, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

As used herein, the meaning of “including” is to specify a particular feature, area, purified water, step, operation, element, and/or ingredient, and does not exclude the presence or addition of any other specific feature, area, purified water, step, operation, element, component, and/or group.

In addition, it should be noted in advance that expressions for directions such as up and down in this specification are explained based on the drawings, and may be expressed differently if the direction of the object in question changes. Meanwhile, in this specification, an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction may be coordinate axis directions illustrated inFIGS.1to3andFIG.6.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of a water purifier assembly1according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, referring toFIGS.1and2, the water purifier assembly1according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may provide clean water to a user by filtering water supplied from outside. For example, the water purifier assembly1may receive water from a water source (not illustrated) such as a tap, and filter the supplied water into clean water. The water purifier assembly1may include a water purifier10and a filter20.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, when the water purifier10is equipped with the filter20, the water purifier may filter water and provide clean water to the user. This water purifier10may include a water purifier body100, a filter case200, a frame300, a locking device400, a latch500, a push member600, and a valve module700.

The water purifier body100may support the frame300and configure an external shape of the water purifier10. The water purifier body100may be provided to surround the frame300.

Referring again toFIG.2, the filter case200may accommodate the filter20and be mounted on the frame300to be replaceable. For example, the filter case200may be mounted on or separated from the frame300while accommodating the filter20. This filter case200may accommodate a plurality of filters20. In addition, when the filter case200is mounted on the frame300, the filter case200may be fixed to the frame300without being separated from the frame300by the locking device400. A plurality of filter cases200may be provided, and the plurality of filter cases200may include a first filter case201and a second filter case202.

The first filter case201and the second filter case202may be detachably mounted on the frame300independently. For example, the first filter case201may be separated from the frame300even when the second filter case202is mounted on the frame300. In addition, the first filter case201and the second filter case202may be mounted on the frame300at different positions. The first filter case201and the second filter case202may each accommodate a plurality of filters20and accommodate different types of filters20. For example, the first filter case201may accommodate a first filter21and a fourth filter24, which will be described later, and the second filter case202may accommodate a second filter22and a third filter23, which will be described later.

Meanwhile, the first filter case201and the second filter case202may each accommodate a plurality of filters20with similar replacement cycles. For example, an average replacement cycle of some filters20accommodated in the first filter case201among the plurality of filters20may be shorter than an average replacement cycle of other filters20accommodated in the second filter case202among the plurality of filters20. As a more detailed example, the first filter case201may accommodate the first filter21and the fourth filter24with similar replacement cycles, and the second filter case202may accommodate the second filter22and the third filter23with similar replacement cycles. In this case, the average replacement cycle of the first filter21and the fourth filter24may be 6 months, and the average replacement cycle of the second filter22and the third filter23may be shorter than 6 months. In addition, the filter20with the longest replacement cycle among some filters20accommodated in the first filter case201may have a replacement cycle shorter than that of the filter20with the shortest replacement cycle among other filters20accommodated in the second filter case202. For example, when the replacement cycle of the fourth filter24having the replacement cycle longer than that of the first filter21is 7 months and the replacement cycle of the third filter23having the replacement cycle shorter than that of the second filter22is 11 months, the replacement cycle of the fourth filter24may be shorter than the replacement cycle of the third filter23. Meanwhile, in the drawing according to the present embodiment, two filters are illustrated as being accommodated in the first filter case201and the second filter case202, but only one filter may be accommodated. In addition, the filters accommodated in the first filter case201may be defined as a first filter group, and the filters accommodated in the second filter case202may be defined as a second filter group.

In this way, the first filter case201and the second filter case202may manage the filters20more efficiently by accommodating the plurality of filters20with similar replacement cycles.

Meanwhile, each of the first filter case201and the second filter case202may include a housing portion210and a connector portion220.

Referring toFIGS.3and5, the housing portion210may accommodate a filter20, and the filter20accommodated inside the housing portion210may be fixed to the housing portion210. The front surface of this housing portion210may be selectively opened by a cover, and the filter20may be accommodated in the housing portion210through the open front surface. In addition, one or more steps211,212,213, and214may be formed on the upper portion of the housing portion210, and the connector portion220may be supported by one or more steps211,212,213, and214. One or more of steps211,212,213, and214may be provided in plural numbers.

Hereinafter, the steps formed in the housing portion210of the first filter case201may be referred to as a first step211and a fourth step214, and the steps formed in the housing portion210of the second filter case202may be referred to as a second step212and a third step213.

The first step211may support a first filter inlet connector221and a first filter outlet connector222, which will be described later.

The second step212may support a second filter inlet connector223and a second filter outlet connector224, which will be described later.

The third step213may support a third filter inlet connector225and a third filter outlet connector226, which will be described later. The third step213may be formed above the second step212.

The fourth step214may support a fourth filter inlet connector227and a fourth filter outlet connector228, which will be described later. The fourth step214may be formed above the first step211.

The plurality of filters20and a connection portion320to be described later may communicate with each other by the connector portion220. This connector portion220may be connected to the plurality of filters20accommodated in the housing portion210. In addition, the connector portion220may be open toward the connection portion320. The connector portion220may include a first connector portion220aand a second connector portion220b.

The first connector portion220aof the first filter case201may include a first filter inlet connector221and a first filter outlet connector222.

The first filter inlet connector221may be connected to a first filter inlet connection port321, which will be described later. This first filter inlet connector221may be connected to the first filter21above the first filter21. In addition, the first filter outlet connector222may be connected to the first filter outlet connection port322, which will be described later.

The second connector portion220bof the first filter case201may be supported by one or more steps211,212,213, and214to be spaced apart from the first connector portion220aof the first filter case201in the up-down direction. In addition, the second connector portion220bof the first filter case201may include a fourth filter inlet connector227and a fourth filter outlet connector228.

The fourth filter inlet connector227may be connected to a fourth filter inlet connection port327, which will be described later. This fourth filter inlet connector227may be connected to the fourth filter24above the fourth filter24. In addition, the fourth filter outlet connector228may be connected to a fourth filter outlet connection port328, which will be described later.

The first connector portion220aof the second filter case202may include a second filter inlet connector223and a second filter outlet connector224.

The second filter inlet connector223may be connected to a second filter inlet connection port323, which will be described later. This second filter inlet connector223may be connected to the second filter22above the second filter22. In additionally, the second filter outlet connector224may be connected to a second filter outlet connection port324, which will be described later.

The second connector portion220bof the second filter case202may be supported by one or more steps211,212,213, and214to be separated from the first connector portion220aof the second filter case202in the up-down direction. In addition, the second connector portion220bof the second filter case202may include a third filter inlet connector225and a third filter outlet connector226.

The third filter inlet connector225may be connected to a third filter inlet connection port325, which will be described later. In addition, the third filter outlet connector226may be connected to a third filter outlet connection port326, which will be described later. The third filter discharge connector226may be connected to the third filter23above the third filter23.

Meanwhile, the first filter inlet connector221, the first filter outlet connector222, the fourth filter inlet connector227, and the fourth filter outlet connector228may be provided in the first filter case201. In addition, the second filter inlet connector223, the second filter outlet connector224, the third filter inlet connector225, and the third filter outlet connector226may be provided in the second filter case202.

Referring toFIGS.2and6, the filter case200may be mounted on the frame300to be separable. In addition, the upper portion of the frame300may support a valve module700. The frame300may form a space in which the filter case200is accommodated. For example, a first accommodating space311in which the first filter case201is accommodated and a second accommodating space312in which the second filter case202is accommodated may be formed in the frame300. The first accommodating space311and the second accommodating space312are open toward the front, and may be formed to be symmetrical to each other when viewed from the front.

The plurality of filters20and the valve module700may communicate with each other by the connection portion320. One side of the connection portion320may be connected to the connector portion220and the other side may be connected to the valve module700. In addition, the connection portion320may be supported by the frame portion310and may be exposed forward through the first accommodating space311and the second accommodating space312. The connection portion320may include a first connection portion320aand a second connection portion320b.

The first connection portion320amay be connected to the connector portion220of the first filter case201. The first connection portion320amay be disposed to be exposed within the first accommodating space311, and the first connection portion320amay be disposed to be biased to one side in the first accommodating space311in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The first connection portion320amay include the first filter inlet connection port321, the first filter outlet connection port322, the fourth filter inlet connection port327, and the fourth filter outlet connection port328.

The first filter inlet connection port321may communicate with the first filter21through the first filter inlet connector221. In addition, the first filter outlet connection port322may communicate with the first filter21through the first filter outlet connector222.

The fourth filter inlet connection port327may communicate with the fourth filter24through the fourth filter inlet connector227. In addition, the fourth filter outlet connection port328may communicate with the fourth filter24through the fourth filter outlet connector228.

The second connection portion320bmay be connected to the connector portion220of the second filter case202. The second connection portion320bmay be disposed to be exposed within the second accommodating space312. In addition, the second connection portion320bmay be disposed to be biased toward one side of the second accommodating space312in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The second connection portion320bmay include the second filter inlet connection port323, the second filter outlet connection port324, the third filter inlet connection port325, and the third filter outlet connection port326.

The second filter inlet connection port323may communicate with the second filter22through the second filter inlet connector223. In addition, the second filter water outlet connection port324may communicate with the second filter22through the second filter water outlet connector224.

The third filter inlet connection port325may communicate with the third filter23through the third filter inlet connector225. In additionally, the third filter outlet connection port326may communicate with the third filter23through the third filter outlet connector226.

Meanwhile, the first connection portion320amay be disposed at a position corresponding to the first accommodating space311. In this case, the first connection portion320amay be connected to the first filter21and the fourth filter24when the first filter case201is mounted in the first accommodating space311. In addition, the second connection portion320bmay be disposed at a position corresponding to the second accommodating space312. In this case, the second connection portion320bmay be connected to the second filter22and the third filter23when the second filter case202is mounted in the second accommodating space312.

In addition, the first connection portion320aand the second connection portion320bmay be disposed in the frame portion310so as to be symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the frame portion310when viewed from the front. In this case, the connector portion220of the first filter case201may be prevented from being connected to the second connection portion320b, and the connector portion220of the second filter case202may be prevented from being connected to the first connection portion320a. In other words, the first filter case201and the second filter case202may be prevented from being mounted on the frame300with their positions exchanged.

Referring toFIGS.4and7, the locking device400can prevent the filter case200from being separated from the frame300when the filter case200is mounted on the frame300. The locking device400may be placed in either a locking state or an unlocking state. In the present specification, the locking state of the locking device400is a state in which the locking device400is caught by the latch500to prevent the filter case200from being separated from the frame300. In addition, the unlocking state of the locking device400is a state in which the locking device400does not interfere with the latch500and allows the filter case200to be separated from the frame300.

The locking device400may be provided in either the filter case200or the frame300, and for example, may be provided in the frame300. In the present specification, the latch500is described as being provided in the filter case200, and the locking device400is described as being provided in the frame, but this is only an example and does not limit the present disclosure. Accordingly, the locking device400is provided in the filter case200and may selectively interfere with the latch500provided in the frame300.

Meanwhile, the locking device400may include a locking member410and an elastic member420.

The locking member410may be selectively caught on the latch500, and it can prevent the filter case200from being separated by being caught on the latch500. For example, referring toFIG.7, the locking member410interferes with the latch500when the locking device400is in the locking state, and thus, it is possible to prevent the filter case200from being separated from the frame300.

The locking member410may be switched from any one of the locking state or the unlocking state to the other by moving the push member600. For example, referring toFIG.8, when the push member600moves toward the locking device400, the locking member410moves in a direction away from the latch500. In this case, the locking device400switches from the locking state to the unlocking state, and the locking member410is spaced apart from the latch500by moving in a direction away from the latch500. In addition, the locking member410may allow the filter case200to be separated from the frame300by being separated from the latch500when the locking device400is in the unlocking state.

As another example, referring toFIG.9, when the push member600moves in the direction away from the locking device400, the locking member410moves in a direction toward the latch500. In this case, the locking device400switches from the unlocking state to the locking state, and the locking member410moves in the direction toward the latch500and is caught in the latch500.

Meanwhile, referring again toFIGS.4and7, the locking member410may include a locking body portion411, a rib portion412, and an interference portion413.

The locking body portion411may support the rib portion412and the interference portion413, and may support the elastic member420. The locking body portion411may be supported by the frame300to be relatively movable with respect to the frame300. In addition, the locking body portion411may be formed integrally with the rib portion412and the interference portion413.

The rib portion412may move in the up-down direction by moving the push member600. The rib portion412may extend from the locking body portion411toward the push member600. For example, the rib portion412may protrude forward from the locking body portion411. In addition, when the push guide portion620moves in the front-rear direction, the rib portion412may move in the up-down direction while a bottom surface of the rib portion is supported by the upper surface of the push guide portion620. The rib portion412may be formed such that at least a portion of the bottom surface is inclined upward. For example, the rib portion412has a rib surface412a, and the rib surface412ais extended to be inclined upward.

As a more detailed example, when the push member600moves toward the locking device400, the rib surface412ais supported by a guide surface621, which will be described later. In addition, while the push member600is moved toward the locking device400, the rib surface412amay move upward along the guide surface621. As another example, when the push member600moves in a direction away from the locking device400, the rib portion412may move downward along the guide surface621. By moving the rib portion412, the locking body portion411and the interference portion413may move in the up-down direction.

The interference unit413may selectively interfere with the latch500. For example, the interference unit413may be caught on a wall surface510of the latch500, which will be described later, when the locking device400is placed in the locking state. In this case, the interference portion413is in surface contact with the wall surface510. As another example, the interference unit413may be spaced upward from the latch500when the locking device400is in the unlocking state. In addition, the interference portion413may move along an inclined surface520of the latch500, which will be described later, when the filter case200is mounted in the accommodating space inside the housing portion210. In this case, the locking device400switches from the locking state to the unlocking state by moving the latch500even when the push member600does not move. The interference portion413may extend downward from the locking body portion411.

The elastic member420may provide a restoring force to the locking member410. When the locking device400is placed in the unlocking state, the elastic member420may provide a restoring force to the locking member410so that the locking member410moves in the direction in which the locking member is placed in the locking state. In other words, the elastic member420may provide a restoring force to the locking member410so that the locking device400moves downward when the locking device400is in the unlocking state. For example, the elastic member420may be a compression spring that provides an elastic force so that the locking member410moves toward the latch500. The elastic member420may be more compressed to have a greater restoring force when the locking device400is placed in the unlocking state than when the locking device is placed in the locking state. In addition, the elastic member420may have one side supported by the locking body portion411and the other side supported by the frame300.

Referring toFIGS.7and10, the latch500may be selectively caught on the locking device400. The latch500may be provided in any one of the filter case200or the frame300. For example, the latch500may be provided on the upper surface of the filter case200and may protrude upward from the upper surface of the filter case200. The latch500may include the wall surface510and the inclined surface520.

The wall surface510may extend upward from the upper surface of the filter case200. For example, the wall surface510may extend perpendicular to the upper surface of the filter case200. The wall surface510may be stably caught on the locking device400by making surface contact with the interference portion413of the locking device400placed in the locking state.

The inclined surface520may be inclined downward and extend from the wall surface510. For example, the inclined surface520may extend in a direction that is different from the direction in which the upper surface of the filter case200is extended. The inclined surface520may guide the movement of the interference portion413such that when the filter case200is mounted on the frame300, the interference portion413of the locking device400moves upward along the inclined surface520.

Referring toFIG.7, the push member600may move the locking device400. The push member600may be provided in any one of the filter case200and the frame300. In addition, the push member600may be supported to be movable relative to any one of the filter case200and the frame300. For example, the push member600may be supported to be movable relative to the frame300. In addition, when the push member is pressed by a user, the push member may move the locking device400by moving toward the locking device400. The push member600may include a push body portion610and a push guide portion620.

The push body portion610may be supported by the frame300to be movable relative to the frame300. For example, the push body portion610may be supported by the frame300to be movable in the front-rear direction. The push body portion610may support the push guide portion620.

The push guide portion620may move the locking device400by moving in response to the push body portion610. The push guide portion620may extend from the push body portion610toward the locking member410. In addition, the push guide portion620may be formed such that at least a portion of the upper surface is inclined downward. For example, the push guide portion620has a guide surface621, and the guide surface621may extend to be inclined downward.

As a more detailed example, referring toFIG.8, when the push member600moves toward the locking device400, the guide surface621supports the rib surface412a. In additionally, while the push member600moves toward the locking device400, the rib portion412moves upward along the guide surface621, and the locking member410moves upward. In this case, the locking device400may be placed in the unlocking state. As another example, referring toFIG.9, while the push member600moves in the direction away from the locking device400, the rib portion412moves downward along the guide surface621, and the locking member410moves downward. In this case, the locking device400may be placed in the locking state.

The valve module700may control the flow of water by selectively opening and closing the flow path for water to flow. The valve module700may include a plurality of valves, and each of the plurality of valves may selectively open and close the flow path to control the flow of water. In addition, the valve module700may be supported by the upper portion of the frame300. The valve module700may communicate with the connection portion320, and the water may flow from the valve module700to the plurality of filters20or from the plurality of filters20to the valve module700through the connection portion320.

The filter20may filter water and provide purified water. A plurality of filters20may be provided, and the plurality of filters20may be accommodated in the filter case200. The plurality of filters20may include a first filter21, a second filter22, a third filter23, and a fourth filter24.

The first filter21may filter dirt, rust, and dust contained in water, and adsorb and remove chlorine and organic chemicals. For example, the first filter21may be a NeoSense filter. The first filter21may have a replacement cycle of 5 to 7 months. In addition, the first filter21may be accommodated in the first filter case201.

The second filter22may filter fine particles contained in water and filter harmful substances such asE. coli, germs, and bacteria. For example, the second filter22may be a nanotrap filter. The second filter22may have a replacement cycle of 11 to 13 months. In addition, the second filter22may be accommodated in the second filter case202.

The third filter23may remove chlorine remaining in the water and deodorize odors. For example, the third filter23may be an innocence filter. The third filter23may have a replacement cycle of 11 to 13 months. In addition, the third filter23may be accommodated in the second filter case202.

The fourth filter24may prevent scale from being created by removing hard substances contained in water. For example, the fourth filter24may be an anti-scale filter. The fourth filter24may have a replacement cycle of 5 to 7 months. In addition, the fourth filter24may be accommodated in the first filter case201.

In this way, in the water purifier assembly1according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to replace the plurality of filters20at once by simply removing and replacing the single filter case200accommodating the plurality of filters20from the frame300.

In addition, the water purifier assembly1selectively fixes the filter case200which accommodates the plurality of filter20through the locking device400. Accordingly, it is possible to fix a plurality of filters20to the frame300even when the number of locking devices400is less than that of the filters.

In addition, by grouping filters with similar replacement cycles among the plurality of filters20and accommodating the grouped filters in one filter case200, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience of having to separate the filter case200from the frame300for each replacement cycle.

In addition, the first connection portion320aand the second connection portion320bare disposed to be biased to one side with respect to the first accommodating space311and the second accommodating space312, respectively, and thus, it is possible to prevent the first filter case201and the second filter case202from being mounted on the frame300at different positions.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above as specific embodiments, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and should be construed as having the widest scope following the technical idea disclosed in the present specification. A person skilled in the art may implement a pattern of a shape not specified by combining/substituting the disclosed embodiments, but this also does not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, a person skilled in the art can easily change or modify the embodiments disclosed based on the present specification, and it is clear that such changes or modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.