RU2294234C2 - Filter state indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: water purification filters in form of accumulating filters.

SUBSTANCE: proposed system includes at least one cartridge for filter, filtered water outlet and flow sensor system for obtaining data on water flow through water outlet. Flow sensor system includes pair of sensors which are so positioned that when outlet is open and water flows through it between sensors, sensors are electrically connected to electronic monitoring panel and water flow may be measured on basis of time during which electrical connection is made; state of system is determined on basis of measured flow of water.

EFFECT: ease of determination and low cost of determination of cartridge service life.

3 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a water purification system comprising a filter cartridge. In particular, the present invention relates to a water purification system comprising a filter cartridge, comprising a sensor for measuring water flow through the filter cartridge and an electronic indicator for indicating the status of the system, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, based on data on the flow of water through cartridge for the filter.

Various systems or devices are known for monitoring the life of filter cartridges for water treatment.

US Pat. No. 4,623,451 describes a water purification system installed in a home sink that includes a tracking device consisting of a conductivity sensitive circuit with a pair of electrodes for measuring electric current. Such a device is suitable for use in a purification system that purifies water by reducing the amount of dissolved solids, since it is the presence of dissolved solids that will determine the conductivity of the water. The device has a limitation in that it cannot function in a water purification system, where purification is carried out not by reducing the reduction in dissolved solid products, but, for example, by means of a biocide that would not have any effect on the conductivity of the water. In a system according to US Pat. No. 4,623,451, the rotation of the head of the water tap mechanically establishes contact between the electrodes of the tracking device by means of two fingers provided in the water tap. The electrodes are always immersed in water. However, the electrodes become charged only when the head of the faucet turns to the “on” position, thereby establishing a mechanical contact between the electrodes. In such a system, a flow restrictor is also required to supply water with a given constant flow rate at normal operating pressure. An additional limitation of this system is that it requires a continuous flow of water through the tap when this tap is open. Even if water does not flow through the faucet, the control circuit, based on the position of the faucet, will continue to track time, which can lead to errors.

US Pat. No. 5,328,597 describes the use of a programmable integrated circuit to track the amount of water filling in a purification device. The tracking node emits an audible signal to alert the user that the device is nearing the end of its useful life after a predetermined number of fillings is performed. However, the tracking unit proposed for this purpose contains many complex contacts (sensors), as well as piezoelectric transducers for signaling, which makes it both complex and expensive.

US Pat. No. 6,024,867 describes a bench-top water filter assembly having a filter housing comprising a replaceable cylindrical filter cartridge that includes an electronic display to give the user a simple opportunity to determine if the filter cartridge is within its useful life near end of his useful life, or he has already worked out his term. Estimation of the service life is based on the detection of magnetic field fluctuations associated with the flow of water through the node. This makes the system complex, expensive and time-consuming to install and maintain. This assembly requires a complex and specific filter cartridge, and estimating the service life is also very complex, based on the flow rate of water through the assembly. In this system, every time a cartridge for a filter runs out, it must be replaced along with a mechanism for evaluating it, which further increases its cost. In addition, the pressure drop in the system in front of the filter, for example, due to suspended impurities, can lead to an incorrect estimate of the service life.

US Pat. No. 5,089,133 describes another method and apparatus for acquiring data about the state of a filter as to whether it has reached the end of its useful life. Specifically, it tracks the end of the service life of an activated charcoal filter. A flow sensor is located between the filter and the water tap. This device also includes a magnet mounted in the cavity of the module to obtain flow data. The movement of the magnet (caused by the change in pressure) leads to the establishment of a magnetic field in the area around the magnet, which in turn closes the switch and closes the circuit through the conductors to provide an indication that water is flowing through the module. These conductors are located next to each other and connected to the printed circuit board. Placement of conductors is carried out towards that part of the node that will be connected to the water tap. This system is also complex and expensive to manufacture and maintain.

US Pat. No. 4,918,426 describes a filter assembly having an end-of-life detector for a filter cartridge. It uses a pressure sensor that generates a pressure differential proportional to the volume of the flowing fluid, which is then converted into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is then summed to detect the real amount of water passing through this filter. When this flow exceeds a predetermined value, a signal is generated indicating the end of life of the cartridge. Using pressure sensors and measuring the pressure difference also includes sophisticated and expensive equipment that is difficult to install and maintain.

From the foregoing, it is clear that, although several types of systems or devices are known for monitoring the life of filter cartridges, each of them is specifically adapted to the particular nature of the cleaning system with which it is used. In particular, all known flow monitoring systems tend to be complex or costly or, for other reasons, are not suitable for use in simple conventional storage filters. Given that water filters are currently widely used, which is not limited to urban areas, but also extends to the countryside, it is necessary to create a device for monitoring the life of filter cartridges, which is simple and economical to manufacture and easily accessible for reasonable price. In particular, it is necessary to create a device for monitoring the life of filter cartridges, which operates from a battery-powered power source so that it can be used in remote locations or in rural areas, where a stationary power source may not be easily accessible, but obvious need for safe drinking water.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water purification system that includes a simple and inexpensive device for receiving data on the flow of water and indicating the status of the system, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, based on the data on the flow of water through the filter cartridge.

An additional objective of the present invention is the creation of a storage filter with a device for monitoring the status of the storage filter, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, which can be located anywhere and is not associated with complex installation requirements or expensive technology.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a storage filter with a simple and inexpensive device for monitoring the status of the storage filter and providing sound and / or visual indication of the current state, such as, in particular, the end of the life of the filter cartridge, or other aspects of the system that depend on volume of flowing water.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring the status of the storage filter, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, which can be adapted for use in a variety of filters for water storage type.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring the status of the storage filter, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, which is based on the flow of water through the filter cartridge and ensures that the flow volume is monitored only when water actually flows from the filter, and neither in any other case, thereby eliminating problems with tracking errors.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring the status of the storage filter, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, which is based on the flow of water through the filter cartridge and makes it possible to register and store data about the status of the storage filter, to facilitate use, maintenance and replacement storage filter parts.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a battery-powered device for monitoring the state of a storage filter, in particular the end of the life of a filter cartridge, which can be used even in remote areas where stationary power supplies do not exist.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring the status of the storage filter, in particular the end of the life of the filter cartridge, which does not require replacement after each subsequent replacement of the filter cartridge and remains operational when replacing the filter cartridge, for further monitoring, by simple monitoring reconfiguration after installing a fresh cartridge.

The present invention relates to a water purification system, including a filter cartridge, comprising at least one filter cartridge, an outlet for letting out filtered water, and a system of flow sensors for receiving data on the flow of water through the outlet , wherein

the flow sensor system includes a first sensor located in front of the filtered water inlet to the leakage outlet, and a second sensor located in the outflowing outlet after the first sensor;

moreover, the first and second sensors are in working condition connected to the electronic control panel so that when the outlet for leakage is open and water flows through the outlet and between the sensors, the sensors are electrically connected to the electronic control panel and the water flow is measured based on the time during which an electrical connection is established and the status of the system is monitored based on the measured water flow.

Preferably, the water purification system including the filter cartridge is in the form of a storage filter.

The leakage outlet is preferably in the form of a cone-shaped tap.

The first and second sensors constituting the flow sensor system can be made of any conductive material, such as a metal pin, electrode or wire, which can provide electrical contact between the sensors and the electronic control panel, by the flow of water between the sensors. It is important to install sensors at the outlet for leakage, so that only when the filtered water really flows from the outlet for leakage, the electronic circuit starts to work, monitoring the volume flow, based on the time during which this water flow takes place, and an electrical contact is established between sensors and electronic control panel. In a preferred system according to the present invention, the first sensor is located in front of the water inlet of the filter cartridge into the cone-shaped tap, and the second sensor is located at the outlet of the cone-shaped tap to ensure that the electronic control panel only works when there is water flow from the system through the outlet cone-shaped crane, but in no other case.

The system according to the present invention easily adapts to any water purification system with a filter cartridge and includes at least one filter cartridge and an outlet for letting out filtered water. An electronic control panel, which can be retuned, can be connected to the system either permanently or with the possibility of replacement. The electronic control panel is battery powered and therefore can be used in remote locations where there is no stationary power source.

In the system according to the present invention, the amount of purified water exiting through the cone-shaped valve is directly monitored by the electronic control panel, and immediately after the data on the water flow are received, the control panel saves the cumulative total time during which the water flow takes place, and data about it is determined.

The memory node in the control panel is provided with predetermined values of the maximum amount of water that this cartridge can process, and based on the cumulative value, from time to time, the indicator node on the electronic control panel will display the status of the cartridge, as a rule, by highlighting various light sources colors in accordance with the state of the system: for example, a green light - to indicate that the cartridge is within its predetermined / set life, eltogo light - to indicate that the cartridge is left for a period of security services, or red light - for indicating the end of the life of the cartridge, which requires its immediate replacement. In the system according to the present invention, it is important that the data on the water flow is obtained only when there is a real water flow through the system, and is not based only on opening a cone-shaped tap through which water can or may not be discharged, and for this reason lead to erroneous indications.

The electronic control panel, as a rule, is a battery-powered circuit based on a microprocessor with a memory node into which settings data can be entered regarding the properties of the system, such as, in particular, the required filter cartridge performance or the required number of cartridge uses in the filter. Such data can then be compared with the actual values of the obtained data to generate status signals. For example, an electronic control panel may display the following conditions:

water flow through a cone-shaped tap;

the state of the total amount of water passing through the filter cartridge when it reaches the end of its life;

the state of the total amount of water passing through the filter cartridge when its service life exceeds the final service life;

The state of the power source, the battery when the voltage becomes low.

The microprocessor circuitry can also be adapted to save data in the event of a battery change.

Advantageously, the electronic control panel can be adapted to erase data after each replacement of a used filter cartridge with a fresh cartridge. This eliminates the problem of reconfiguring the control panel each time the filter cartridge runs out of time, as is the case with some known systems.

Preferably, the ability of the electronic control panel to store data may be based on the following parameters:

the total amount of water passing through the filter cartridge at each point in time;

the number of data erasures performed to date;

Displays the unique serial number assigned to the tracking system.

The electronic control panel is preferably provided with a visual display to indicate the status of the system. However, as an alternative or addition, indicators with audible signals may also be provided.

The electronic control panel preferably operates from a power source, a battery, so that it can be used in remote areas where appropriate stationary power sources are not available. In this case, an additional indicator is preferably present to indicate the status of the battery used in the system, and to indicate when the battery power is running out and a replacement is necessary.

A specific example of the system of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a front view of the storage filter in accordance with the present invention;

figure 2 shows a front view of a cone-shaped crane used in a storage filter;

figure 3 shows a side view in cross section of a cone-shaped crane used in a storage filter;

Fig. 4 is a cutaway view illustrating the connection of an electronic control panel and an indicator assembly with a cone-shaped tap of a storage filter;

figure 5 shows a view of a tear-out cone-shaped crane with an indicator assembly mounted on it, and

6a, 6b, and 6c are cross-sectional side views illustrating the arrangement of sensors used to obtain data on the flow of water through a cone-shaped faucet.

1 shows a storage filter according to the present invention, which comprises a chamber (FC1) having a cartridge support (FC2) for a filter that passes into the second chamber (SC) at its base. The exit cone-shaped tap (TP) communicates with a second chamber (SC) for supplying purified water. Water to be cleaned is introduced into the first chamber (FC1) through the top by removing the cap (LD). After that, the water treated in the filter cartridge (FC2) is accumulated in the second chamber (SC) as filtered water, which is released through the outlet cone valve (TP) as needed. An electronic control panel (EC) having an indicator panel (IP) is mounted, as shown, on a cone-shaped crane (TP).

Figures 2 and 3 show a cone-shaped crane (TP) in more detail. As shown in these figures, the cone-shaped crane (TP) has a head part (HP) which is connected in working condition to the second filter chamber (SC) (not shown) by means of a tubular element (TM) and a cuff and sleeve (GN) connection . The head part (HP) has an outlet (OT), which is pressed by a spring (SL) to maintain the exit of the cone-shaped valve in the closed state. When required, for the outflow of water through a cone-shaped tap, a mechanical lever (ML) is actuated in the direction of arrow “A”, with the neck head working against the spring to move and thereby open the outlet of the cone-shaped tap for outflowing water. After this release of water takes place, the flow of water through the cone-shaped tap provides an electrical connection between the sensors and the electronic control panel to monitor the status of the system based on the volume of water that passes through the cone-shaped tap while the water flows between the sensors and the electronic the control panel monitors such a stream.

Figure 4 shows the pin connection of the electronic control panel and the head of the cone-shaped crane. Although this illustration demonstrates the detachable connection of a cone-shaped tap and an electronic control panel, it is also possible to use a cone-shaped crane with an electronic control panel that is integral with it, since the electronic control panel is reconfigurable and does not have to be replaced every time the filter cartridge is replaced.

Figures 5 and 6 show a cone-shaped crane and an electronic control panel and the location of the sensors, which serve to track the volume of the water flow only when there is a real water flow, but in no other case. Figure 5 shows a view of a tapered crane with an indicator panel mounted on it, while the indicator panel has a green light source (G), which indicates that the cartridge (FC2) for the filter is within its life, an orange light source (O), indicating that the filter cartridge is near the end of its life, and a red light source (R), indicating that the filter cartridge has reached the end of its life. A battery discharge indicator (BL) is also provided to indicate that the battery needs to be replaced.

On figa, 6b, 6C shows the location of the sensors for interacting with the flow of water through a conical valve to establish an electrical connection between the sensors and the electronic control panel. To eliminate the receipt of any false data about the flow of water, these sensors are arranged so that the electronic control panel is activated only when the water actually flows through a cone-shaped tap. The first sensor (FS) is located in the tubular element (TM), which connects a conical valve (TP) to the second chamber (SC) and which, as a rule, remains immersed in water. The second sensor (SS) is located at the outlet of the cone-shaped tap, so that only when the cone-shaped tap is open and water flows from the tubular element (TM) and from the outlet (OT) of the cone-shaped tap, the first and second sensors are electrically connected through the water flow to establish a working connections to the electronic control panel (ECP).

Therefore, the amount of purified water delivered by a cone-shaped tap is directly dependent on how long the sensors (first and second) are in electrical connection under the influence of water flowing between them. Each time a connection between the sensors is established under the influence of the water flow, the electronic control panel (which is a microprocessor-based circuit) saves the cumulative total amount of time, and based on this cumulative value, from time to time, the display panel of the electronic control unit will display the status cartridge for the filter. A green light indicates that the filter cartridge is within its specified / specified life. An orange light indicates that the filter cartridge has exceeded its reliable life, and a red light indicates the end of the life of the filter cartridge, requiring immediate replacement. Data registering the accumulated water flow through a cone-shaped valve is stored / updated in the memory of the electronic control panel. After the filter cartridge has reached its end of life and a new cartridge is installed to replace it, the electronic control panel can simply be erased in order to start again tracking the volumetric flow and related characteristics for a fresh filter cartridge. The electronic control panel should not be replaced.

In addition, as shown in figure 5, the electronic control panel is equipped with an indicator to indicate the status of the battery, for its possible replacement as necessary.

Claims (3)

1. A water purification system, comprising a filter cartridge, comprising at least one filter cartridge, an outlet for letting out filtered water, and a system of flow sensors for receiving data on the flow of water through the outlet for this system of flow sensors includes a first sensor located in front of the entrance of the filtered water into the outlet for leakage, and a second sensor located at the outlet for leakage after the first sensor, the first and second sensors in working condition The sensors are connected to the electronic control panel so that when the drain outlet is open and water flows through the outlet and between the sensors, the sensors are electrically connected to the electronic control panel and the water flow is measured based on the time during which the electrical connection is established and the system status is monitored based on the measured water flow. 2. The water purification system according to claim 1, which has the form of a storage filter. 3. The water treatment system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the electronic control panel is a battery-powered microprocessor-based circuit with a memory node.

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