Filtration Equipment

Abstract

Improve the device that measures water characteristics within the filtration system. The present invention relates to a filtration device (1) comprising an inlet funnel (5) with a cartridge mounting part (6), a filtration cartridge (9) mountable on the cartridge mounting part (6), and a detection device (21) with detection means (23) for measuring at least one water property. The detection device (21) comprises an electrical circuit (33) having a control gap, and the filtration cartridge (9) comprises a bridging element (41), the bridging element (41) being arranged to electrically close the control gap (33) when the filtration cartridge (9) is in the cartridge mounting part (6).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filtration device, a filtration cartridge, a filtration assembly, and a method of operating a sensing device in a filtration device. [Background technology]

[0002] Filtration devices are sometimes used as water purifiers for everyday use in the home, hence they are also called tabletop water filters. They are mainly used to remove unwanted substances from tap water. Among these substances are chlorine and substances related to water hardness, such as calcium and magnesium oxide, but also lead, which can get into the water supply, especially in older homes that use lead pipes.

[0003] Tabletop water filters often operate on gravity. There is no action required to filter the water other than pouring the water to be treated into the filter. The water simply flows by gravity through the filter cartridge into a container of water to be filtered.

[0004] The filtration device known from US Pat. No. 5,399,633 comprises an inlet funnel with a bottom wall, which is provided with an opening for a filtration cartridge. The filtration cartridge is inserted into the opening, forming a seal between the opening and the sealing edge of the filtration cartridge. In use, water is introduced into the inlet funnel from above and then flows into the filtration cartridge through the water inlet. A granular treatment medium for the water is inside the filtration cartridge. The treatment medium usually comprises ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon, although other components can also be used as treatment media. In the filtration cartridge, the water is treated and discharged downwards through the filtration cartridge via a water outlet at the bottom of the filtration cartridge. The treated water is also called filtrate. The filtration cartridge is also provided with an air outlet at the top so that air from within the filtration cartridge can exit the filtration cartridge upwards at the start of the filtration process.

[0005] Over time, the effectiveness of the treatment medium deteriorates. At some point, the treatment medium becomes exhausted. To determine this condition, it has been proposed to provide a sensing means to measure the conductivity of the water present in the filtration device. As the water is treated, its conductivity changes. Due to ion exchange that occurs during treatment, the treated water loses its conductivity. In patent document 2, it is proposed to measure both the water to be filtered (feed water) and the filtrate, as well as the amount already treated by the cartridge. These characteristics allow one to determine how much material has been absorbed or exchanged by the treatment in the cartridge.

[0006] US Pat. No. 5,399,433 also proposes measuring the conductivity of the water, both in the feed water and in the filtrate, but the measurements are only used to determine the filling level.

[0007] Measuring the conductivity or other properties of water requires a power source. Table water filters are generally intended to operate without an external power source or connection to a national grid, so an internal power source such as a battery is used. As disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,399,633, the battery may be implemented as part of the filtration cartridge together with the conductivity sensing unit. Such cartridges are expensive and therefore undesirable.

[0008] Patent document 3 discloses a detection unit that is independent of the filtration cartridge. The detection unit has its own power supply. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the filtration cartridge, but such a solution has another drawback: if the detection unit is constantly running, the power supply will be quickly consumed. Therefore, the user has to regularly replace not only the filtration cartridge but also the power supply (battery). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1230166 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 1490302 [Patent Document 3] DE 102008054479 Summary of the Invention

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a more sophisticated sensing unit for measuring the properties of the water in a filtration device.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by a gravity filtration device according to claim 1.

[0012] The filtration device comprises an inlet funnel with a cartridge mount, a filtration cartridge positionable in the cartridge mount, and a sensing device with sensing means for measuring at least one water property, characterized in that said sensing device comprises an electrical circuit with a control gap, and said filtration cartridge comprises at least one bridging element, the bridging element being arranged to electrically open or close the control gap, i.e. to open a short circuit initially present in the electrical circuit of the sensing device or to close an initially open electrical circuit of the sensing device, when the filtration cartridge is placed in the cartridge mount.

[0013] The idle state sensing device may provide an open electrical circuit that is closed (recoupled) by the filtration cartridge being properly installed in the cartridge mount. The idle state sensing device may alternatively provide a short circuit that is opened by the filtration cartridge being properly installed in the cartridge mount. Either option ensures that the sensing device is only operational when the filtration cartridge is properly placed in the cartridge mount.

[0014] The inventors have found that it is advantageous if the detection device is only activated if a filter cartridge is present in the filtration device. Without the filter cartridge, operating the detection device, even if water is present in the filtration device, is a waste of energy. It is therefore most preferred if the bridging element blocks the control gap. In the absence of a filter cartridge in the cartridge mount, the electrical circuit is not closed and the power supply is not discharged, which increases the service life. Only when a filter cartridge with a bridging element is placed in the cartridge mount, is the electrical circuit closed and the detection device operable. The user therefore does not have to separately activate the detection device, since the activity of the detection device is automatically initiated when the filter cartridge is placed in the inlet funnel. This facilitates the use of the inventive filtration device. The detection device is preferably fixed or at least partially manufactured integrally with the inlet funnel.

[0015] The electrical circuit may comprise a plurality of control gaps.The sensing device may comprise a plurality of electrical circuits, each having at least one control gap.

[0016] The filtration device is preferably gravity-fed, alternatively it may be manually or (semi-)automatically pumped or pushed.

[0017] The filtration device preferably includes a vessel in which an inlet funnel can be placed, the vessel collecting the water to be treated in the filtration cartridge, through which the water flows into the vessel, the vessel may be in a variety of shapes, such as a carafe or a box-like container.

[0018] The filtration cartridge preferably comprises a container in which the water treatment medium is placed. The water treatment medium preferably comprises at least one of an ion exchange resin and activated carbon. The container is preferably formed from at least two parts so that the treatment medium can easily enter the container. The filtration cartridge and the cartridge mount are preferably complementary so as to provide a seal against water flowing around the filtration cartridge and act together to open and close the control gap when the filtration cartridge is placed in the cartridge mount. Preferably, one of the container parts comprises a circumferential sealing edge which creates a seal with the sealing surface of the cartridge mount when the filtration cartridge is placed in the inlet funnel so that water flows only around the filtration cartridge and not around it. The container preferably has at least one water inlet at its top and at least one water outlet at its bottom.

[0019] The bridging element preferably comprises a conductive element that electrically blocks said control gap. In this way, the bridging element itself is configured to electrically close the control gap. In such an embodiment, the sensing device may comprise two connection points located on the cartridge mount and set at a distance from each other, which distance defines the control gap. The conductive element is then configured to contact both connection points when the filtration cartridge is placed on the cartridge mount. In this way, the control gap is directly closed by the bridging element. Preferably, the conductive element or the bridging element is generally arranged in or on the sealing edge of the filtration cartridge. The sealing edge is an ideal location for the bridging element, since it will contact the inlet funnel with a sealing surface anyway. In this way, it is possible to avoid additional contact points between the filtration cartridge and the inlet funnel, which may limit the sealing performance of the seal made by the sealing edge and the sealing surface.

[0020] Some parts of the filtration device, such as the inlet funnel, the container and the vessel of the filtration cartridge, are preferably made of a polymer. The conductive elements may also be made of metal, but most preferably they comprise or are entirely made of a conductive polymer. In this way, the conductive elements can be easily adapted to the shape of the inlet funnel. Alternatively, at least one part of the filtration cartridge, in particular the sealing edge, may be manufactured in one piece, preferably by injection molding, in particular.

[0021] In another embodiment, the inlet funnel comprises a conductive element for electrically opening or closing the control gap, and the bridging element is configured to act on the conductive element such that the conductive element opens or closes the control gap when the filtration cartridge is located in the cartridge mount. In this way, the conductive element does not need to be present in the filtration cartridge, which increases the manufacturing costs. According to one embodiment, the control gap is opened by the filtration cartridge when a short circuit exists in the idle state. In this embodiment, the closed control gap in the idle state bypasses the sensing means, so that the water properties cannot be measured unless the filtration cartridge is correctly mounted in the cartridge mount. According to another embodiment, when the control gap is open in the idle state, the control gap is closed by the filtration cartridge. In this embodiment, the open control gap in the idle state breaks the circuit, so that the sensing means cannot measure the water properties unless the filtration cartridge is correctly mounted in the cartridge mount. The bridging element can be, for example, a pin or a rib. The conductive element may further comprise at least one of a metal and a conductive polymer. The bridging element preferably protrudes from the container.

[0022] The conductive element in such an embodiment is preferably provided with a mechanical switch configured to open or close an electrical circuit, where the bridging element is configured to act on the mechanical switch such that the switch is opened or closed when the filtration cartridge is placed in the cartridge mount. The switch is opened by the bridging element when a short circuit is present in the idle state of the sensing device, and closed by the bridging element when the control gap is open in the idle state. For example, if the bridging element is a pin, the inlet funnel may have a hole in which the pin enters and in which the switch is located at the bottom. When the filtration cartridge is placed in the cartridge mount, the pin enters the hole and presses the mechanical switch to open or close, also opening or closing the electrical circuit.

[0023] In some preferred embodiments, the sealing edge of the filtration cartridge is n-fold rotationally symmetric, n>2, about the main vertical axis of the filtration cartridge and comprises n bridging elements arranged symmetrically on the sealing edge with respect to the vertical axis. In particular, n<∞, thus excluding a circular shape. Such a configuration makes it easier for the user to correctly insert the filtration cartridge into the cartridge mount, so that the bridging elements open and close the control gap of the electrical circuit. Most preferably, the sealing edge is 2-fold rotationally symmetric (point symmetric) about the main axis of the filtration cartridge and comprises two bridging elements.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the sealing edge of the filtration cartridge is rotationally asymmetric about its main vertical axis. In particular, the sealing edge and the sealing surface are configured such that the filtration cartridge can be placed in the cartridge mount in only one operable position. In the present invention, it is important that the bridging element is accurately located in the control gap, which is ensured by the asymmetric configuration. Most preferably, the filtration cartridge has an asymmetric element, such as a protrusion or bump, and more preferably comprises a bridging element. This further ensures that the bridging element is in the correct location when the filtration cartridge is placed in the inlet funnel. The asymmetric element is most preferably located on the sealing edge.

[0025] The sensing device is preferably configured to measure at least one of the following: fill level, water conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride, nitrate, sulfate, copper (Cu), and other elements or minerals, particularly major and trace ions commonly present in tap water, or combinations thereof.

[0026] The detector preferably comprises a control unit and a power supply. The detector may further comprise a display or other means for outputting a signal, such as an LED or LCD.

[0027] The detection device preferably comprises at least two separate detection means, in particular n separate detection means, where at least one detection means is only operable when the control gap is opened or closed according to the two options of the invention, respectively. Providing two or more detection means allows to measure some of the above mentioned water properties or to measure a property more than once, preferably once in the feed water and once in the filtrate. Thus, one detection means is preferably configured to measure above the sealing surface and the other detection means is preferably configured to measure below the sealing surface. In other words, one detection means is preferably arranged in the inlet funnel above the sealing surface and one detection means is preferably arranged in the inlet funnel or in the vessel below the sealing surface. In such an embodiment, the filtration cartridge may comprise at least two bridging elements, one for each detection means. Generally, in all gravity filtration devices, unfiltered water is retained by the seal in the portion of the inlet funnel above the sealing surface (the inlet portion) and filtered water is collected in the portion below the sealing surface (the drainage portion), but it should of course be understood that the present invention includes all arrangements which allow the above-mentioned water characteristics to be measured separately before and after filtration, regardless of whether these measurements are made above or below the sealing surface.

[0028] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a filtration cartridge, in particular a gravity filtration cartridge, for a filtration device, comprising a container with an ion exchange resin therein, a container with a water inlet and a water outlet, characterized in that the filtration cartridge comprises a bridging element, which is adapted to open and close a control gap of an electric circuit when the filtration cartridge is placed in a cartridge mount of the filtration device.

[0029] The bridging element is preferably a different element from the sealing edge. A filtration cartridge according to the invention may generally comprise any of the features described above for a filtration cartridge. Most preferably, the bridging element of the filtration cartridge comprises a conductive element that closes the control gap.

[0030] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a filtration assembly, in particular a gravity filtration assembly, comprising an inlet funnel with a cartridge mount and a sensing device with sensing means for measuring at least one water property, characterized in that the sensing device comprises an electric circuit with a control gap, the control gap being adapted to be electrically opened and closed by a bridging element when a filtration cartridge with the bridging element is located in the cartridge mount.

[0031] The filtration assembly preferably includes a vessel in which an inlet funnel can be positioned.

[0032] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for operating a sensing device in a filtration device, in particular a gravity filtration device, comprising sensing means for measuring at least one water property, characterized in that the sensing device comprises an electric circuit with a control gap, the control gap being opened or closed by placing a filtration cartridge in a cartridge mount of the filtration device. Preferably, the filtration cartridge is placed in the cartridge mount such that a bridging element of the filtration cartridge is placed in the control gap and thereby closes the electric circuit.

[0033] If the detection device is configured to measure above and below the cartridge mount, a comparison between the measurements is possible by the control unit. In such a case, the detection device may check whether the water treatment leads to a sufficient decrease in the property (e.g. a difference in conductivity of more than 50 μS / cm). If not, the detection device may output a signal to be recognized by the user. In particular, the detection device may first check for a decrease when a new unused filtration cartridge is placed in the cartridge mount. The decrease may be determined by taking the average value of the first 5 to 10 measurements. If there is no or little decrease, the detection device may output a signal indicating that the filtration device is not functioning properly or that the water supply already has a low value for the property. If the decrease is sufficient at the beginning of the life of the filtration cartridge, the detection device may repeatedly measure the property during its life to determine the end of the use of the filtration cartridge. This is preferably determined by comparing the instantaneous decrease with the decrease at the beginning of the life of the filtration cartridge. If the decrease is below the original threshold, e.g. below 30%, the detection device may output a signal indicating that the filtration cartridge is exhausted.

[0034] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which the following figures are shown: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a filtration device according to the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b shows the inlet funnel of the filtration device of FIG. 1a. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1c shows a filtration cartridge of the filtration device of FIG. 1a. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of a filtration cartridge according to the present invention in a top view. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a filtration cartridge according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The gravity filter 1 shown in Figure 1a includes an inlet funnel 5 that can be removably mounted on a vessel (not shown). The vessel may be provided in a variety of shapes, typically a container such as a carafe or a box.

[0037] The inlet funnel 5, also shown in Fig. 1b, comprises a cartridge mounting part 6 in which a filtration cartridge 9 can be removably placed. The cartridge mounting part 6 is of a generally cylindrical shape with an elliptical bottom surface in this embodiment. The cartridge mounting part 6 has a generally elliptical circumferential sealing surface 7 in its upper region.

[0038] The filtration cartridge 9 shown in FIG. 1c also comprises a container 11 in which a (not visible) water treatment medium is arranged. The water treatment medium may comprise an ion exchange resin and / or activated carbon. At its top, the container 11 comprises a water inlet 12 and at its bottom, the container 11 comprises a (not visible) water outlet. The position and size of the water inlet 12 are shown by way of example only. In other embodiments, the water inlet 12 may be arranged in a different place and / or have a different shape and / or size. The container 11 may further comprise an air outlet (not shown) at its top. The container 11 further comprises a sealing edge 13 around its periphery. The sealing edge 13 extends symmetrically around the main vertical axis X of the filtration cartridge 9. The sealing edge 13 interacts with the sealing surface 7 of the cartridge mount 6 such that water coming from above enters the filtration cartridge 9 through the water inlet and does not flow around the filtration cartridge 9.

[0039] Above the sealing surface 7, the inlet funnel 5 is provided with a water supply 15 into which the water to be treated (feed water) is poured. This water then enters the filtration cartridge 9 where it is treated.

[0040] The inlet funnel 5 below the sealing surface 7 is provided with a filtering section 17 into which the filtered water (filtered liquid) flows and further into a vessel through a funnel outlet 19. The filtrate is thus collected in the vessel from which the user can pour the water.

[0041] The gravity filter 1 further comprises a sensing device 21. The sensing device 21 comprises a sensing means 23 for measuring at least one water property. In other embodiments, the sensing device 21 may comprise one or more sensing means 23. The inlet funnel 5 and the sensing device together define a filter assembly.

[0042] The detection means 23 comprises two electrodes 27a, b arranged in the filtration section 17. The electrodes 27a, b allow the detection means 23 to measure the conductivity of the filtrate around the electrodes 27a, b. One electrode 27a of the detection means 23 is directly connected to the control unit 31 of the detection device 21. A control gap 33 is provided between the other electrode 27b of the detection device 21 and the control unit 31. The control unit 31 and the electrodes 27a, b form an electric circuit of the detection device 21 with such a control gap 33. Due to the control gap 33, the connection between the electrode 27b and the control unit 31 is cut off. The connection comes from the control unit 31 and ends at the connection point 37a. The connection coming from the electrode 27b ends at the connection point 37b. In the state shown in FIG. 1b, due to the control gap 33, the detection device 21 cannot measure the conductivity of the filtrate via the detection means 23 and the control unit 31.

[0043] 1a shows the interaction with the sensing device 21 when the filtration cartridge 9 is placed in the cartridge mounting part 6. The filtration cartridge 9 comprises a bridging element 41 in the form of a conductive element, e.g. a metal strip or a conductive polymer. When the filtration cartridge 9 is placed in the cartridge mounting part 6, the bridging element 41 interacts with the control gap 33 to close it and close the connection between the control unit 31 and the electrode 27b. The sensing device 21 is then operable and can measure the conductivity in the filtration part 17.

[0044] The control unit 31 is provided with a display unit (not shown) on which information regarding the measured conductivity is displayed.

[0045] The filtration cartridge 9 shown in Figure 2 comprises a container 11 with a water inlet 12 at its upper part. A main vertical axis X of the filtration cartridge 9 extends perpendicular to the drawing plane. A water treatment medium (not shown) is arranged inside the container 11. The filtration cartridge 9 comprises a circumferential sealing edge 13 which is asymmetrical with respect to the main vertical axis X with an asymmetrical element 45 in the form of a protruding portion.

[0046] The filtration cartridge 9 shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the filtration cartridge 9 shown in Fig. 1c. The container 11 has a water inlet 12 at the top and a water outlet (now visible) at the bottom. The container 11 is provided with a circumferential sealing edge 13. In the embodiment of the filtration cartridge 9 shown in Fig. 3, the sealing edge 13 is rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees (point symmetrical) about the main vertical axis X of the filtration cartridge 9. Two bridging elements 41 are arranged on the sealing edge 13. The bridging elements 41 are arranged symmetrically and point symmetrically about the main vertical axis X. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Filtration equipment 5 Inlet funnel 6 Cartridge mounting part 7 Sealing surface 9 Filtration Cartridge 11 Container 12 Water Inlet 13 Sealing Edge 15 Water supply section 17 Filtration section 19 Funnel outlet 21 Detection Device 23 First detection means 27a electrode 27b electrode 31 Control Unit 33 Control Gap 37a Connection point 37b Connection point 41 Crosslinking element 45 Asymmetric elements X main vertical axis

Claims

1. an inlet funnel (5) having a cartridge mounting portion (6); a filtration cartridge (9) that can be placed in the cartridge mounting portion (6); A filtration device (1) comprising a detection device (21) having a detection means (23) for measuring at least one water characteristic, the sensing device (21) comprises an electric circuit having a control gap (33); The filtration cartridge (9) is provided with a bridging element (41), the bridging element (41) being arranged to electrically open or close the control gap (33) when the filtration cartridge (9) is arranged in the cartridge mounting part (6). A filtration device (1).

2. 2. The filtering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridging element (41) comprises an electrically conductive element which electrically closes the control gap.

3. 3. The filtration device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrically conductive element is provided in or on a sealing edge (13) of the filtration cartridge (9).

4. 4. The filtration device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the conductive element comprises a conductive polymer.

5. the inlet funnel (5) is provided with a conductive element for electrically opening or closing the control gap (33), the bridging element (41) is configured to act on the conductive element such that the conductive element opens or closes a control gap when the filtration cartridge (9) is located in the cartridge mount (6), wherein the conductive element is comprised in a mechanical switch that opens or closes the electrical circuit; The bridging element (41) is configured to act on the mechanical switch when the filtration cartridge (9) is placed in the filter mounting portion (9). Filtration device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that

6. 6. The filtration device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sealing edge (13) of the filtration cartridge (9) has n-fold rotational symmetry around a main vertical axis (X) of the filtration cartridge (9), and the sealing edge (13) comprises n bridging elements (41), n ​​being ≥ 2, arranged symmetrically on the sealing edge (13) about the vertical axis (X).

7. 6. A filtering device (1) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sealing edge (13) of the filtering cartridge (9) is rotationally symmetrical about a main vertical axis (X) of the filtering cartridge (9).

8. The detection device (21), The degree of filling and The conductivity of the water, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS); the concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and copper (Cu), or any combination thereof; 8. The filtering device (1) according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that it is adapted to measure at least one of the following:

9. 9. A filtering device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the detection device (21) comprises at least two separate detection means (23), at least one of the detection means (23) being operable only when the control gap (33) is closed.

10. The filtration device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that one of the detection means (23) is arranged in the inlet funnel (5) above the sealing surface (7) of the cartridge mounting portion (6) and one of the detection means (23) is arranged in the inlet funnel (5) below the sealing surface (7).

11. A filtration cartridge (9) for a filtration device (1), comprising a container (11) having an ion exchange resin therein, the container (11) having a water inlet (12) and a water outlet, The filtration cartridge (9) comprises a bridging element (41) configured to open or close a control gap (33) of an electric circuit when the filtration cartridge (9) is placed in the cartridge mount (6) of the filtration device (1). A filtration cartridge (9).

12. Filtration cartridge (9) according to claim 11, characterised in that the bridging element (41) comprises an electrically conductive element.

13. A filtration assembly comprising an inlet funnel (5) having a cartridge mounting portion (6) and a sensing device (21) having sensing means (23) for measuring at least one water characteristic, The detection device (21), and an electrical circuit having a control gap (33) configured to be electrically opened or closed by the bridging element (41) when a filtration cartridge (9) having the bridging element (41) is placed in the cartridge mounting portion (6). A filtration assembly comprising:

14. A method for operating a sensing device (21) in a filtration device (1), the sensing device (21) comprising sensing means (23) for measuring at least one water property, The sensing device (21) comprises an electric circuit having a control gap (33), the control gap (33) being opened or closed by placing a filtration cartridge (9) in the cartridge mounting portion (6) of the filtration device (1).

13. A method for activating a sensing device (21) in a filtration device (1), comprising:

15. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the filtration cartridge (9) is placed in the cartridge mounting part (6) such that a bridging element (41) of the filtration cartridge (9) is placed in the control gap (33), thereby closing the electric circuit.

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