Water filter abstract
The described embodiments of the present invention include a water
filter having a float portion with a magnet that moves up and down
due to water flow to activate a switch for tracking the use time
of the filter.
Water filter claims
We claim:
1. A water filter, comprising: a first opening for connecting to
a faucet; a cartridge having filter media; a float portion residing
on top of said cartridge, said float portion adapted to move up
off the cartridge during water flow; a magnet on said float portion;
a switch in communication with said magnet, wherein said magnet
activates said switch during water flow; a processor electrically
connected to said switch wherein said processor tracks the time
water flows through the filter; wherein said float portion returns
to the top of said cartridge when water is not flowing through said
filter; a body portion for enclosing said cartridge; a space interposed
between said body portion and said cartridge; wherein said float
portion is adapted to reside in a portion of said space so that
when water flows into said filter, water fills said space moving
said float portion off said cartridge allowing water to flow into
said cartridge.
2. A water filter according to claim 1 further comprising: a group
of LEDs for indicating the status of the filter.
3. A water filter according to claim 2 wherein said group of LEDs
is further comprised of: a green LED; a yellow LED; and a red LED.
4. A water filter according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge
is comprised of openings in the top of said cartridge for allowing
water to enter said cartridge; and wherein said cartridge has openings
in the bottom of said cartridge for allowing water to leave said
cartridge after being filtered by said filter media.
5. A water filter according to claim 1 further comprising: a spring
operably connected to a top portion of said float portion for pushing
said float portion back to the top of said cartridge when water
flow stops.
6. A water filter, comprising: a cartridge having filter media;
a float portion residing on top of said cartridge, said float portion
adapted to move up off the cartridge during water flow; a magnet
on said float portion; a switch in communication with said magnet,
wherein said magnet activates said switch during water flow; a processor
electrically connected to said switch wherein said processor tracks
the time water flows through the filter; wherein said float portion
returns to the top of said cartridge when water is not flowing through
said filter; a group of LEDs for indicating the status of the filter;
a body portion for enclosing said cartridge; a space interposed
between said body portion and said cartridge; wherein said float
is portion adapted to reside in a portion of said space so that
when water flows into said filter, water fills said space moving
said float portion off said cartridge allowing water to flow into
said cartridge.
Water filter description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of water filters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water filters have become increasingly prevalent as consumers have
become more health conscious. Typically, these water filters attach
directly to the water faucet outlet and filter water as it flows
out of the faucet. Generally, these water filters are comprised
of filter cartridges that must be replaced after a certain period
of time or use.
Accordingly, there have been prior filters designed to detect the
amount of flow through the filter and to alert the user when the
filter needs to be replaced. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5935426
to Giordano et al. teaches a water filter having a flow detection
means. The Giordano patent also describes the use of a red, yellow,
green LED configuration to alert the user of the status of the water
filter.
The present invention relates to a new and improved water filter
for detecting flow through the filter and for alerting the user
of the status of the filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water filter, comprising: a
first opening for connecting to a faucet; a cartridge having filter
media; a float portion residing on top of the cartridge, the float
portion adapted to move up off the cartridge during water flow;
a magnet on the float portion; a switch in communication with the
magnet, wherein the magnet activates the switch during water flow;
a processor electrically connected to the switch wherein the processor
tracks the time water flows through the filter; wherein the float
portion returns to the top of the cartridge when water is not flowing
through the filter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of one example embodiment of
a water filter of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates one example cross-sectional view of the water
filter of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates one example circuit diagram of the water filter
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of one example embodiment of
a water filter 10 of the present invention. The water filter attaches
to the water faucet at 12. The filter may be used on any type of
water faucet, including shower faucets or drinking water faucets.
The water enters the filter through the faucet and is filtered by
the filter media contained in the filter. The water filter is preferably
comprised of a replacable cartridge 13 that houses the filter media.
The filtered water then exits the filter at the filter outlet 14.
The LED display 16 alerts the user as to the status of the filter.
In the preferred embodiment, the water filter of the present invention
is comprised of a float device 18 that is adapted to ride over the
cartridge. A spring 20 and magnet 22 are placed on top of the float.
The body portion 24 is then placed over the float and cartridge
assembly. A circuit board 26 containing the electronics for the
water filter is then placed on top of the filter body. A filter
cover 28 is then placed over the circuit board. The filter cover
is preferably comprised of a LED viewing area 30 for allowing the
light from the LED assembly to shine through.
FIG. 2 illustrates one example cross-sectional view of the water
filter of the present invention. The arrows in the figure illustrate
the flow of water through the filter. When the water is off ("No-Flow"
position), the float is down and sits on top of the cartridge. As
water flows through the filter ("Flow" position), the
float is pushed upwards where the magnetic piece (preferably, within
it) activates the switch and the light starts blinking green (assuming
the filter is still in the "good" or useable state). At
this time the electronics of the filter starts measuring the time
water is flowing through the device and this process will stop when
water stops flowing (float will return to its original position
and the switch will be deactivated). A spring assists in pushing
the float portion down to its original position after the water
flow has stopped. When the water is off, the float portion is in
the lower position and the circuit is idle. In other words, the
Reed switch 34 is de-activated, and the time counting function stops.
As the water is flowing through the filter, the float is up and
the spring is compressed and thus not noticeable on the drawing.
The water fills up the housing (between the cartridge outside wall
and the body inner wall) while pushing the float portion up and
holding it up while water is still flowing. Once the housing is
full of water the water has to run out and it can only go out one
way: it enters the cartridge at the top and runs down through the
media and out to the outlet where a shower head will be attached.
In one example embodiment, during periods of flow, the green LED
flashes. The green LED will blink for 3200 minutes of flow time
after which the yellow LED will blink for 800 minutes of flow time.
After 4000 minutes of flow, the red LED will blink. The green LED
indicates the filter cartridge is still in the "good"
or useable state. The yellow LED indicates that the filter cartridge
is close to its depleted state. The red LED indicates that the filter
cartridge should be replaced with a new cartridge.
The capacity of the example system is set at 10000 assuming that
the water flows at 2.5 gallons per minute which is the maximum,
per code, flow through a standard shower head.
FIG. 3 illustrates one example circuit diagram of the water filter
of the present invention. As discussed, when the water flow begins,
the the float portion is pushed upwards by the water stream. The
magnet enclosed within the float portion moves into proximity to
the switch, preferably a Reed switch, mounted to the printed circuit
board. This activates the switch, closing the electrical circuit,
and beginning the counting of elapsed flow time. Battery power is
provided to the microprocessor which then counts time. The duration
of elapsed time determines which LED is lit. Various known microprocessors
with timing and counting functionality can be used to track the
time of water flow for the filter. The microprocessor is programmed
to activate the appropriate LED in accordance with the predetermined
set times of the present invention.
When the filter cartridge is changed, the reset button on the circuit
board must be pressed to initiate a new timing cycle. Alternately,
replacing the battery will initiate a new timing cycle.
In the preferred embodiment, the magnet is enclosed and completely
sealed by ultrasonic weld to avoid any exposure to air or water.
Enclosing the magnet in this fashion prevents corrosion of the magnet.
In the example embodiment, the magnet housing 40 is adapted with
a center hole 42 that engages a protrusion 43 from the cartridge.
The center hole of the magnet housing rides along the protrusion
as the float portion moves up and down due to the water flow.
In the preferred embodiment, the float portion's center hole is
large enough in diameter in order to fit around the center piece
of the body and allow enough travel distance to activate and deactivate
the magnet with certainty.
Although the present invention has been described with regard to
several embodiments, those embodiments are not to be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention. Many embodiments of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the
teachings of this specification. The only limitation of the scope
of the invention are the claims appended hereto and equivalents
thereof. |