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WO1992008677A1 - Filtres d'eau - Google Patents

Filtres d'eau Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992008677A1
WO1992008677A1 PCT/GB1991/001999 GB9101999W WO9208677A1 WO 1992008677 A1 WO1992008677 A1 WO 1992008677A1 GB 9101999 W GB9101999 W GB 9101999W WO 9208677 A1 WO9208677 A1 WO 9208677A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
filter
batch type
water
type water
motor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1991/001999
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William John Porter
Robert Paul Child
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kenwood Marks Ltd
Original Assignee
Kenwood Marks Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kenwood Marks Ltd filed Critical Kenwood Marks Ltd
Publication of WO1992008677A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992008677A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
    • B01D35/26—Filters with built-in pumps filters provided with a pump mounted in or on the casing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F9/00—Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F9/20—Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to water filters particularly for domestic use and which are employed to remove contaminants from tap water.
  • the first category comprises filters which are permanently connected in the water supply to a particular tap; whilst the second category comprises filters which are free standing and through which a quanti ⁇ ty of water is fed intermittently by gravity.
  • This second category of filters are known as batch or jug filters, hereinafter referred to as batch type water filters, and commonly consist of a container having a filter element, such as an activated carbon filter, so that water, when purified by passing through the filter from an upper reser ⁇ voir, collects in the container.
  • the invention provides a batch type water filter comprising a vessel for water to be purified, a filter element for- purifying the water disposed above the vessel, a pumping device for feeding water from the vessel up through the filter element, means for controlling the operation of the pumping device and an outlet for water purified by the filter.
  • the various components of the water filter are housed in a casing and the vessel for containing water to be purified may be in the form of a drawer which can be at least partly withdrawn from the casing.
  • a part of one wall of the casing may be in the form of a chute which can be moved, e.g. pivoted, between a closed position and an open position in which water to be purified can be poured down the chute into the vessel.
  • the filter element is preferably in the form of a replaceable cartridge which can be inserted and removed through the top of the casing.
  • the filter element is located in a compartment formed at the upper end of a removable module whose lower end extends into the vessel and includes the pump.
  • a drive member such as a gear, may be mounted for rotation on the module intermedi ⁇ ate the compartment and the pump. The drive member is arranged to engage with a second drive member, e.g. a second gear, which is driven by an electric motor housed within the casing.
  • Switch means are provided for control ⁇ ling the electrical supply to the electric motor.
  • the motor and pump are designed so as to pump water through the filter element at a substantially constant rate whereby the quantity of water which has been purified can be determined by the time for which the pump is in opera ⁇ tion.
  • the motor is controlled by a timing circuit which is arranged to energise the motor and hence operate the pump for a time corresponding to the delivery of a predetermined quantity of purified water.
  • the invention pro ⁇ vides a batch type water filter in which water to be puri ⁇ fied is drawn from a vessel by a pump and fed through a filter element wherein the pump passes water through the filter element at a substantially constant rate and the operation of the pump is controlled by a timing circuit which is set such that the time of operation of the pump represents a delivery of a specific quantity of purified water.
  • the timing circuit stores data representing the overall time for which the motor and pump are operating and hence effectively records the total amount of water which has passed through the filter.
  • this data is employed to provide an indication that the filter element has reached the end of its effective life and needs changing.
  • the timing circuit preferably includes means for varying the overall time for which the motor and pump operate before an indication is given that the filter needs changing.
  • the life of the filter element will be shorter, and hence the overall running time of the motor and throughput of the pump will be less than when the water filter is employed to purify lightly contam ⁇ inated water.
  • the circuit could also increase the run time automatically to improve filtration near the end of the life of the filter.
  • the water filter is associated with a receptacle such as a jug, for receiving the purified water from the outlet and which has a capacity chosen to accommodate the major portion of the water contained in the vessel, after it has been purified.
  • the timing circuit can- then be so arranged such that for each replenishment of the water in the vessel, it operates the motor and the pump for a time which purifies that quantity of water which fills the jug or like receptacle to capacity.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of batch type water filter according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation through the appliance of Figure 1, Figure 3 illustrates an alternative form of control arrangement
  • Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the electrical control and timing circuit.
  • the embodiment of batch water filter to be described is intended primarily for domestic use in the home.
  • the components of the water filter are housed within a casing 1 which is associated with a jug 2 for receiving the purified water.
  • the under ⁇ side of the casing is formed as a compartment la. for stor ⁇ ing the electric supply lead to the appliance.
  • the lower part of the casing 1 houses a drawer-like vessel 3 for containing the water to be purified.
  • This vessel can be pulled at least partially open by means of the finger recesses 3a. to enable ice to be placed in the vessel, if desired.
  • a portion of the wall of the casing is formed as a pivotable chute 4 which can be opened to enable water to be purified to be poured down the chute in order to fill the vessel 3.
  • a removable module 5 is insertable through an aperture in the top of the casing 1 and is dimensioned such that its lower part 5a. is located adjacent the bottom of the vessel 3.
  • the upper part of the module 5 comprises a compartment 5b. which contains a removable and replaceable filter element in the form of a cartridge 6.
  • a cover 7 fits over the compartment 5b and includes an outlet 8 through which purified water is passed into the jug 2.
  • the lower part 5a. of the module forms the casing of an impeller type pump 9 which draws in water from the vessel 3 through an aperture 10 and which is connected through the hollow stem 5c_ of the module with the upper compartment 5b_.
  • the pump is driven by an electric motor 11 mounted in the casing and having a drive gear 12 on its output shaft meshing with a drive gear 13 connected to the shaft 14 of the pump impeller 9 which is journalled in a bracket 5d_ formed on the module 5.
  • the pump 9 draws in the water to be purified through the aperture 10 and forces it up the hollow stem 5c. and through the filter element 6 from bottom to top, whereby purified water issues from the outlet 8 to fill the jug 2.
  • a restriction at the top of the stem controls the flow rate without affecting the output flow (steady stream) or the ability to empty the reservoir.
  • a seal such as an 0-ring 15 seals the periphery of the compartment 5b. so that all of the water pumped up the hollow stem 5c. must pass through the filter cartridge 6.
  • a small by-pass bleed groove is moulded into the outlet' 8.
  • the outlet channel incorporates a flow deflector to shape the water flow.
  • the outlet nozzle is shaped to give an even trickle and reduce dripping at turn off.
  • the filter element preferably comprises a mix ⁇ ture of chemicals which operate to clean the water by absorption and chemical change.
  • the cartridge may include a transparent band 6a. which may also be used to show the change in colour which occurs when the chemicals are spent in order to indicate that the cartridge needs changing.
  • the whole of the module 5 can be lifted out from the casing 1 for ease of replacement of the cartridge which in turn enables the vessel 3 to be fully withdrawn from the casing, allowing easy dismantling for cleaning.
  • the pump 9 is designed to give a substantially constant throughput of water when driven by the motor 11 which in turn means that purified water is delivered through the filter element 6 to the output 8 and into the jug 2 at a substantially constant rate.
  • the quantity of water which has been purified can be determined by the time for which the pump is in operation.
  • the timing circuit for controlling the motor and pump operation is contained on a circuit board 16 which -o -
  • the circuit board 16 is positioned in the casing such that the switches can be manually operated by push buttons 18 _, 18b . and 18c. projecting through apertures in the casing.
  • An indicator panel arranged adjacent the push buttons carries red, green and amber indicators, in the form of light emitting diodes R, G and A as well as a control 19 for varying the timing duration as will be later explained. When lit, LED R indicates power to the appliance; LED G indicates that the motor 11 is running and LED A indicates when the filter -element needs replacing.
  • the push button 18a operates to switch on the motor for a fixed time interval; the push button 18b. oper ⁇ ates to switch off the motor, thereby terminating the pumping operation; and the push button 18c. provides a pulsed operation of the motor, i.e. the motor and pump are operated for as long as the button is depressed. This facility may be used for example when it is only desired to fill a glass from the outlet 8.
  • the timing circuit When the button 18a. is operated to switch on the motor and pump, the timing circuit maintains the operation for a time corresponding to the delivery of a predetermined maximum quantity of purified water. For example at a pump delivery rate of 1.0 litres/minute and a useful capacity of the jug 2 being 2.0 litres, the latter will be almost filled when the pump has run for 120 seconds.
  • the timing circuit also stores data representing the overall time for which the motor and pump are operating and hence effective ⁇ ly records the total amount of water which has passed through the filter element 6. Assuming that the filter element has a capacity or useful life of 200 litres, when the timing circuit has recorded an overall operating time of 200 minutes the amber diode A flashes to indicate that the filter element needs replacing.
  • the control 19 allows the overall operating time before which the amber diode A is lit to be varied in order to match different effective life time for the filter element, depending on the degree of contamination of the water in the geographical region where the water filter is being used. As previously explained, in a region of highly contaminated water the life of the filter element and the overall permissible running time of the motor and pump will be less than in a region where the water is only lightly contaminated.
  • the data stored is zeroed by holding down the off button 18b, after a new cartridge is ' fitted.
  • FIG. 3 shows an alternative form of display employing liquid crystal displays.
  • the display 20 consists of five bars which indicate the life of the filter element. When the filter element is new, all five bars are lit and they go out progressively as the life of the filter decreases. When approximately 50% of the last bar has disappeared, the remainder commences to flash to indicate that the filter element needs to be replaced.
  • the display 21 consists of a graduated series of five bars which are set by the push button control 19a. according to the degree of contamination of the water to be purified. When only the left-hand bar is lit this indicates the longest filter life whilst when all the bars are lit this is an indication of the shortest filter life.
  • Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing one embodi ⁇ ment of the electrical control and timing circuit.
  • this circuit controls the motor driven pump and also monitors the life of the filter ele ⁇ ment.
  • a simple motor ON - OFF - PULSE control is used with the ON period having an automatic switch off after nominally 120 seconds representing a flow of 2 litres through the filter.
  • the motor run time is accumulated and after a total preset period the amber LED A is lit to inform the user that a new filter element should be fitted. This period is preset by the user, using the control 19 on the control panel to compensate for different grades of water contamination.
  • an additional timer is left running such that after a period of 90 days an "end of filter life" is indicated, regardless of actual running time. This is because the filter element loses effectiveness after this period of time.
  • the circuit features a "Nicad” battery back-up for its memory such that the filter life remaining is remem ⁇ bered even if the appliance is unplugged. This battery is trickle charged whilst the appliance is plugged in.
  • R2 and Cl act as a reactive power supply, charging C2 through Dl, Zl and LED 2 (red).
  • the voltage on C2 is limited to 6.2V by Zener diode Z2 and the battery B is trickle charged through R4.
  • the battery B is used to supply the power to four CMOS integrated circuits Ul to U4 that supply the necessary timing and logical functions.
  • the motor run time can be prematurely interrupted by pressing push button 18b_ to operate SI (OFF) which also supplies a reset signal to the R - S latch.
  • the filter life timing circuit comprises two sepa ⁇ rate oscillators feeding a 25 stage binary counter (74HC292) via a NOR gate.
  • the background timer runs continuously at approximately 4 Hz to give a maximum filter life of 90 days. This is formed by 2/3 of Ul (74HC04) and R7 and C3.
  • a foreground counter is provided using 1/2 of Ul and Rll, VR1 and C4.
  • pin 13 of Ul is held low by D4 , inhibiting oscillations.
  • the frequency of this oscillator can be adjusted by VR1 (control 19) to allow for regional varia ⁇ tions of water quality.
  • pin 7 of U4 goes high with two effects. Firstly, the count is held ' by forcing pin 5 high, and secondly, TR2 is turned on through R6. This in turn switches TR3 on through R3, bypassing the supply current from Zl, through LED 1 (amber).
  • an optical sensor is disposed adjacent the filter element, e.g. adjacent the band 6a. of the cartridge 6, in order to detect changes in colour of the filter element.
  • the signal from the optical sensor is fed through appropriate circuitry to provide an indication of the state of the filter element and thereby indicate when it needs to be changed.
  • the water filter may include a mechanical timing mechanism which is arranged to be driven such that it can provide a visual indication of the usage of the filter element.
  • the mechanism may be driven from the pump motor or an independent motor which is operated when the pump motor is operated. In either case the drive may be either direct or through an intermediate gear.
  • Such a mechanism may consist of a series of clock- type gears driven directly by the motor and which operate an indicator, such as a rotary gauge.
  • the indicator thus represents the correlation of the water throughput to the motor run-time and hence shows both the filter usage and when it is necessary to change the filter element.
  • the on/off operation of the motor, and hence the pump can be achieved by manual operation of the push-buttons .
  • a cam or other actuating device can be provided which is driven by the motor so as automatically to switch off the motor after a predetermined time of operation, e.g. 90 seconds.
  • the mechanical timing means can be used in addition to the timing circuit, with the timing circuit providing the automatic pumping of the predetermined amount of purified water.
  • the mechanical timer merely provides an indication of filter usage.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Sorption (AREA)

Abstract

Filtre d'eau de type discontinu à usage ménager comprenant un récipient (3) qui contient l'eau à purifier, un élément filtrant (6) qui purifie l'eau et est placé au-dessus du récipient (3), une pompe (9) qui achemine l'eau depuis le récipient vers le haut, le long du passage 5c et à travers l'élément filtrant, un dispositif permettant de commander le fonctionnement de la pompe et une sortie (8) pour l'eau purifiée par le filtre. La pompe est actionnée par un moteur électrique (11), le moteur et la pompe étant conçus de manière à pomper de l'eau à travers l'élément filtrant à un débit essentiellement constant, de sorte que la quantité d'eau purifiée peut être déterminée par la durée de fonctionnement de la pompe. Le moteur (11) est commandé par un circuit de synchronisation (16) qui est conçu pour enclencher le moteur et par là commander le fonctionnement de la pompe pour une durée correspondant à la quantité prédéterminée d'eau purifiée que l'on désire obtenir.
PCT/GB1991/001999 1990-11-14 1991-11-13 Filtres d'eau Ceased WO1992008677A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9024754.5 1990-11-14
GB909024754A GB9024754D0 (en) 1990-11-14 1990-11-14 Water filters

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992008677A1 true WO1992008677A1 (fr) 1992-05-29

Family

ID=10685364

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/001999 Ceased WO1992008677A1 (fr) 1990-11-14 1991-11-13 Filtres d'eau

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU8870491A (fr)
GB (2) GB9024754D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1992008677A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995029131A1 (fr) * 1994-04-20 1995-11-02 Kenwood Marks Limited Pot a eau a filtre et son couvercle

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100777951B1 (ko) 2001-08-23 2007-11-28 더 프록터 앤드 갬블 캄파니 정수 필터 재료, 대응하는 정수 필터 및 그의 사용 방법
US7614508B2 (en) 2001-08-23 2009-11-10 Pur Water Purification Products Inc. Water filter materials, water filters and kits containing silver coated particles and processes for using the same
US7615152B2 (en) 2001-08-23 2009-11-10 Pur Water Purification Products, Inc. Water filter device
US20050279696A1 (en) 2001-08-23 2005-12-22 Bahm Jeannine R Water filter materials and water filters containing a mixture of microporous and mesoporous carbon particles
US7614507B2 (en) 2001-08-23 2009-11-10 Pur Water Purification Products Inc. Water filter materials, water filters and kits containing particles coated with cationic polymer and processes for using the same
USD501912S1 (en) 2003-08-19 2005-02-15 Procter & Gamble Water filter device
ITPD20030262A1 (it) * 2003-10-28 2005-04-29 Laica Srl Ora Laica Spa Caraffa filtrante a cartuccia sostituibile e metodo di monitoraggio e controllo della efficienza di una cartuccia filtrante in un dispositivo filtrante a cartuccia sostituibile

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3756413A (en) * 1972-04-13 1973-09-04 Gartner Research & Dev Co Method and apparatus for making potable water
US4066551A (en) * 1976-01-07 1978-01-03 Dynek Corporation Portable water filtration device

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3756413A (en) * 1972-04-13 1973-09-04 Gartner Research & Dev Co Method and apparatus for making potable water
US4066551A (en) * 1976-01-07 1978-01-03 Dynek Corporation Portable water filtration device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995029131A1 (fr) * 1994-04-20 1995-11-02 Kenwood Marks Limited Pot a eau a filtre et son couvercle
EP0861809A1 (fr) * 1994-04-20 1998-09-02 Kenwood Marks Limited Pot à eau avec filtre et son couvercle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9024754D0 (en) 1991-01-02
GB2250281B (en) 1994-06-22
GB9124133D0 (en) 1992-01-02
GB2250281A (en) 1992-06-03
AU8870491A (en) 1992-06-11

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