A water purifier

Abstract

Provided is a water purifier (100) including a housing (118), comprising a chamber (120) defined by a plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116) of the housing (118) The water purifier (100) comprises a filtering unit (200) comprising one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) configured in the chamber (120). The water purifier (100) comprises a mounting unit (218) configured to mount the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) to the housing (118). The one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) are configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing (118) such that a height direction of the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) coincides with a width direction of the water purifier (100).

Description

[0001] A WATER PURIFIER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to water purifiers, and more particularly relates to optimizing structural dimensions of the water purifiers.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005]

[0002] Typically, water purifiers are designed to remove impurities and contaminants from source water thereby ensuring clean and safe water. Various types of water purifiers exist in the market which utilize different technologies for effective filtration of the water. However, many of these water purifiers are bulky and are unsuitable for installation in compact kitchens with limited space. Additionally, as interiors of modern kitchens have become highly sophisticated, accommodating appliances like water purifiers has become increasingly challenging. Therefore, there is a growing need to optimize the structural dimensions with respect to length and breadth of the water purifiers to enhance their adaptability to contemporary kitchen spaces.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007]

[0003] It is an objective of the present disclosure to optimize size of a water purifier. To this end, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a water purifier. The water purifier includes a housing comprising a chamber defined by a plurality of walls of the housing. The water purifier includes a filtering unit comprising one or more filter elements configured in the chamber. The water purifier includes a mounting unit configured to mount the one or more filter elements to the housing. The one or more filter elements are configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing, and wherein a height direction of the one or more filter elements coincides with a width direction of the water purifier.

[0008]

[0004] In some example embodiments, in the first position, the one or more filter elements are configured to be oriented parallel to a length direction of the housing, and wherein in the second position, the one or more filter elements are configured to be oriented at either an acute angle or a perpendicular angle with respect to the length direction of the housing.

[0009]

[0005] In some example embodiments, the length direction of the housing extends through at least one of the plurality of walls on which the one or more filter elements are mounted.

[0006] In some example embodiments, the plurality of walls comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls configured between the top wall and the bottom wall, a front wall, and a rear wall.

[0010]

[0007] In some example embodiments, the one or more filter elements are removably attached to at least one of the side walls, the front wall and the rear wall of the housing.

[0011]

[0008] In some example embodiments, at least one of the bottom wall and the top wall is movably coupled to at least one of the rear wall, the pair of side walls and the front wall to selectively move between an open position and a closed position to allow access to the one or more filter elements and cover the one or more filter elements respectively.

[0012]

[0009] In some example embodiments, the water purifier includes a plurality of slide rails configured to one or more walls of the plurality of walls to install the water purifier on a support surface.

[0013]

[0010] In some example embodiments, a set of first slide rails of the plurality of slide rails are configured with the top wall of the housing and a second set of slide rails of the plurality of slide rails are configured with at least one of the side walls and the rear wall of the housing. The set of first slide rails and the set of second slide rails are configured to allow a slidable movement between the top wall and at least one of the side walls and the rear wall of the housing.

[0014] [Oil] In some example embodiments, the mounting unit includes at least one mounting member detachably coupled to one of the plurality of walls of the housing, and at least one holding member movably coupled to the mounting member, the holding member comprising one or more filter holders to hold the one or more filter elements. The holding member is configured to allow the one or more filter elements to move between the first position and the second position.

[0015]

[0012] In some example embodiments, the water purifier includes a stopper plate removably configured with the mounting unit, to restrict movement of the one or more filter elements between the first position and the second position.

[0016]

[0013] In some example embodiments, one or more electrical units and a water storage tank are configured to be accommodated in the chamber.

[0017]

[0014] In some example embodiments, a water dispensing tap is coupled to the front wall.

[0018]

[0015] In some example embodiments, the water purifier is supported in a kitchen cabinet through at least one of the plurality of walls of the housing.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements.

[0020]

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a water purifier, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021]

[0018] FIG. 1A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1C illustrate a rear wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall, respectively, of the water purifier;

[0022]

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the water purifier showing a filtering unit and a mounting unit in a chamber, when the bottom wall is moved in an open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023]

[0020] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the water purifier with the bottom wall moved in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 3B illustrates another exemplary perspective view of the water purifier with one or more filter elements moved in a second position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024]

[0022] FIG. 4A illustrates another exemplary perspective view of the water purifier with a top wall in a closed position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025]

[0023] FIG. 4B illustrates another exemplary perspective view of the water purifier with the top wall moved in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0026]

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the water purifier with the top wall moved in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments is intended for illustration purposes only and is, therefore, not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028]

[0026] The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. In one example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternate and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments that are described and shown.

[0029]

[0027] References to “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “yet another embodiment”, “one example”, “another example”, “yet another example”, “for example”, “for instance”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0030]

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a water purifier 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The water purifier 100 may be configured to purify raw water supplied from an external water source. For instance, the external water source may include a tap that supplies the raw water or a water tank that stores the raw water. As used herein, the raw water may be non-potable water that includes harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, minerals, sediment, chemical pollutants, or the like. In an embodiment, the water purifier 100 may purify the raw water in such a manner that the harmful substances are eliminated. Further, after the purification of the raw water, the water purifier 100 may be configured to store and / or dispense purified water. As used herein, the purified water may correspond to potable water in which the harmful substances are eliminated. The water purifier 100 may be a Reverse Osmosis (RO) type water purifier, an Ultraviolet (UV) type water purifier, an Ultra-filter (UF) type water purifier, or the like.

[0031]

[0029] In an embodiment, an outer appearance of the water purifier 100 may be formed by a housing 118 that includes a chamber 120. The chamber 120 may be formed by combining a plurality of walls of the housing 118. In this embodiment, the plurality of walls may include a front wall 102, a rear wall (not illustrated) that is opposite to the front wall 102 in a y-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z), a bottom wall (not illustrated), a top wall 116 that is opposite to the bottom wall in a z-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z), a pair of side walls having a first side wall 106 and a second side wall (not illustrated). The second side wall is opposite to the first side wall 106 in an x-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z). The front wall 102 and the rear wall may form a front appearance and a back appearance of the water purifier 100, respectively. The bottom wall and the top wall 116 may form a bottom appearance and a top appearance of the water purifier 100, respectively. The first side wall 106 and the second side wall may form side appearances of the water purifier 100.

[0032]

[0030] In the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z), the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction are orthogonal to each other. Further, in the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z), an x-axis may represent a length of the water purifier 100, a y-axis may represent a width of the water purifier 100, and a z-axis may represent a height of the water purifier 100. Hereinafter, the “x-axis direction”, “y-axis direction”, and “z-axis direction” may be referred to as “length direction of water purifier”, “width direction of water purifier”, and “height direction of water purifier”, respectively.

[0033]

[0031] In an embodiment, the plurality of walls of the housing 118 may be made of glass (such as a toughened glass, a tempered glass, a laminated glass, or the like), metal (such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, stainless steel, or the like), plastic (such as polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), or the like), or the like.

[0034]

[0032] In an example embodiment, the front wall 102 may include an operational display unit 108. In an embodiment, the operational display unit 108 may be provided with a plurality of touch buttons on the front wall 102. For instance, when a user of the water purifier 100 selects / operates a touch button of the plurality of touch buttons, an operation associated with the selected touch button is performed by the water purifier 100. In an example embodiment, the operational display unit 108 may illuminate the selected touch button to indicate that the selected touch button is operated by the user. Thereby, the operational display unit 108 allows the user of the water purifier 100 to easily recognize the selected touch button among the plurality of touch buttons. In an example embodiment, the plurality of touch buttons may include a touch button to turn-on / turn- off the water purifier 100, a touch button to indicate a water level of the purified water stored in a water storage tank of the water purifier 100, a touch button to dispense the purified water via a water tap 110 of the water purifier 100, and / or a touch button to enable / disable an UV filtration during the purification of the raw water.

[0035]

[0033] Additionally, or alternatively, the operational display unit 108 may include Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a LED display unit, and / or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit to display operation information of the water purifier 100. For instance, the operation information of the water purifier 100 may include a type of filtration (such as the UV filtration, the UF filtration, and / or the RO filtration) that is currently activated in the water purifier 100 and / or a water quality indicator (e.g., a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) value of the purified water).

[0036]

[0034] In an embodiment, the water purifier 100 may house a filtering unit (not illustrated) and a mounting unit (not illustrated). An arrangement of the filtering unit and the mounting unit within the chamber 120 of the housing 118 will be explained in the detailed description of FIG. 2.

[0037]

[0035] FIG. 1A illustrates a rear wall 114 of the water purifier 100. The rear wall 114 may form the back appearance of the water purifier 100 and is opposite to the front wall (not illustrated). A water inlet valve and a water outlet valve may be present on the rear wall 114 of the housing 118 of the water purifier and the water tap 110 may be present on the front wall of the housing 118. For instance, the rear wall 114 corresponds to the rear wall in the detailed description of FIG. 1.

[0038]

[0036] FIG. IB illustrates a second side wall 112 of the water purifier 100. The second side wall 112 may be opposite to the first side wall 106 (not illustrated) in a x-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z). The water tap 110 may be present on the front wall (not illustrated) of the housing 118. For instance, the second side wall 112 corresponds to the second side wall 112 in the detailed description of FIG. 1.

[0039]

[0037] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom wall 104 of the water purifier 100. The bottom wall 104 may be opposite to the top wall 116 (not illustrated). The bottom wall 104 may be movably coupled to the rear wall 114, and the pair of the first side wall (not illustrated) and the second side wall (not illustrated) to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. For instance, the bottom wall 104 corresponds to the bottom wall in the detailed description of FIG. 1.

[0040]

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the water purifier 100 showing a filtering unit and a mounting unit in the chamber 120 and when the bottom wall 104 is moved in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is explained in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 1, FIG. 1A, FIG. IB, and FIG. 1C. In an embodiment, the housing 118 of the water purifier 100 includes the chamber 120. The filtering unit 200 and the mounting unit 218 of the water purifier 100 may be arranged within the chamber 120 of the housing 118 that is formed between the plurality of walls (e.g., the front wall 102, the bottom wall 104, the first side wall 106, the second side wall 112, the rear wall 114, and the top wall 116). In other words, the filtering unit 200 may be provided on the top wall 116 (e.g., an inner surface of the top wall 116). Each of the front wall 102, the first side wall 106, the second side wall 112, and the rear wall 114 may be formed to encompass the filtering unit 200 and the mounting unit 218.

[0041]

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the chamber 120 of the water purifier 100 may include the filtering unit 200 having one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, 210c mounted on the mounting unit 218, a water storage tank 202, one or more electrical units 204, a water outlet valve 206a, a water inlet valve 206b, and the water tap 110. In an embodiment, in the chamber 120 formed between the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, and 116 of the housing 118, the water storage tank 202, the filtering unit 200, and the one or more electrical units 204 are sequentially arranged along the length direction of the water purifier 100 (e.g., a positive length direction of the water purifier 100). The length direction of the housing 118 may extend through at least one of the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, and 116 on which the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c are mounted. In other words, in the chamber 120 formed between the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, and 116 of the housing 118, the filtering unit 200 may be arranged between the the water storage tank 202 and the one or more electrical units 204 along the length direction of the water purifier 100.

[0042]

[0040] The mounting unit 218 may be used to mount the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c to the housing 118 of the water purifier 100. The mounting unit 218 may include at least one mounting member 208. The mounting member 208 may be detachably coupled to one of the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, and 116 of the housing 118. In other words, the mounting member 208 may via the mounting unit 218 be removably attached to either of the rear wall 114, the first side wall 106, and the second side wall 112 of the water purifier 100.

[0043]

[0041] The mounting unit 218 includes at least one holding member (not illustrated) that is movably coupled to the mounting member 208. The at least one holding member may include one or more filter holders (not illustrated) to hold the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c. The holding member is configured to allow the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may be oriented parallel to the length direction of the housing 118 (e.g., the positive width direction of the water purifier 100). In the second position, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may be oriented to move at either an acute angle or a perpendicular angle with respect to the length direction of the housing 118 (e.g., the negative height direction of the water purifier 100). In other words, in the second position, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may rotate downwards (e.g., in an angle between 0 degrees to 90 degrees) with respect to the length direction of the housing 118 when the bottom wall 104 is in the open position along the height direction of the water purifier 100 (e.g., the negative height direction of the water purifier 100).

[0044]

[0042] The one or more filter holders may hold the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c. For instance, each of the one or more filter holders may have an opening portion (not illustrated) to hold one of a corresponding filter element of the plurality of filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c. In an example embodiment, each filter holder of the one or more filter holders and the opening portion of the corresponding filter element of the plurality of filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may be in a threaded engagement. For the purpose of explanation, three filter holders and three filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c have been illustrated and described. However, the number of filter holders and the number of filter elements are not limited to three. For example, the number of filter holders and the number of filter elements may be greater than three or less than three.

[0045]

[0043] Each filter element of the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may have a cylindrical shape. The one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c are sequentially held by the corresponding one or more filter holders along the length direction of the water purifier 100. In other words, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c are held by the corresponding one or more filter holders in such a manner that a height direction of each filter element of the plurality of filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c coincides with the width direction of the water purifier 100.

[0046]

[0044] In an embodiment, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may house one or more filters. For instance, each filter element of the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may house a corresponding filter of the one or more filters. The one or more filters may include a sediment filter, an activated carbon filter, a carbon block filter, a RO membrane, a polishing filter, or the like. For instance, the sediment filter may remove, from the raw water, particles such as sand, dirt, rust, and sediment. The activated carbon filter may absorb, from the raw water, substances such as chlorine, organic compounds, and other chemicals that affect the taste and odor of water. The carbon block filter may remove, from the raw water, substances such as residual chlorine, chemicals, and impurities. The RO membrane may block contaminants such as heavy metals, dissolved solids, bacteria, and viruses from passing through it. The RO membrane may further allow the purified water to pass through it. The polishing filter may remove the remaining odor and / or taste of the purified water.

[0047]

[0045] In one embodiment, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may house the sediment filter, the activated carbon filter, and the RO membrane, respectively. In another embodiment, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may house the sediment filter, the activated carbon filter, and the RO membrane respectively. In another embodiment, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may house the sediment filter, the RO membrane, and the polishing filter respectively. In yet another example embodiment, the filter element 210c may correspond to a mineral cartridge that adds essential minerals to the purified water. As a result, the taste of the purified water is improved. In yet another example embodiment, the filter element 210c may correspond to a UV filter cartridge that houses a UV filter device. For instance, the UV filter device may destroy or inactivate, by using UV rays, the bacteria, the viruses, and other microorganisms that have passed through the RO membrane.

[0048]

[0046] Each filter element of the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may have at least one outlet valve and at least one inlet valve. In an embodiment, the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may further include the water inlet valve 206b that receives the raw water supplied from the external water source. In an example embodiment, the water inlet valve 206b may be provided on the mounting unit 218 or may be provided between the mounting unit 218 and the rear wall 114. The water inlet valve 206b may be coupled to the inlet valve of the filter element 210a to allow the supplied raw water to flow through the sediment filter. In an example embodiment, the water inlet valve 206b may be coupled to the inlet valve of the filter element 210a via a water purifier pipe tube. The water purifier pipe tube may pass the supplied raw water from the water inlet valve 206b to the inlet valve of the filter element 210a. The water purifier pipe tube may be made of plastic (such as Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE), or the like).

[0049]

[0047] The outlet valve of the filter element 210a may be coupled (e.g., via the water purifier pipe tube) to the inlet valve of the filter element 210b to allow the water filtered by the sediment filter to pass through the activated carbon filter. The outlet valve of the filter element 210b may be coupled (e.g., via the water purifier pipe tube) to the inlet valve of the filter element 210c to allow the water filtered by the carbon block filter to pass through the RO membrane. The outlet valve of the filter element 210c may be coupled (e.g., via the water purifier pipe tube) to an inlet valve of the water storage tank 202 to store the water filtered by the RO membrane in the water storage tank 202. The water filtered by the RO membrane may correspond to the purified water. For instance, when the filter element 210c corresponds to one of the mineral cartridge and / or the UV filter cartridge, the raw water may be similarly purified and stored in the water storage tank 202. In these embodiments, water outputted from the mineral cartridge or the UV filter cartridge may correspond to the purified water.

[0050]

[0048] In an embodiment, the water storage tank 202 may further have an outlet valve that is coupled (e.g., via the water purifier pipe tube) to an inlet valve of the water tap 110. The water storage tank 202 may substantially have the shape of a cuboidal. In an example embodiment, the water storage tank 202 may be arranged along the filtering unit and one or more electrical units 204 in such a manner that a length direction of the water storage tank 202 coincides with the width direction of the water purifier 100. The one or more electrical units 204 may include both electrical and electronic components. The storage water tank 202 may be made of metal (such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, stainless steel, or the like) and / or plastic (such as Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE), Polycarbonate (PC), or the like).

[0051]

[0049] The water tap 110 may further have an outlet valve to dispense the purified water. The water tap 110 may be made of the metal and / or the plastic. In an embodiment, the water tap 110 may be provided at an interface between the front wall 102 and the bottom wall 104. Specifically, the water tap 110 may be provided at the middle part of the interface between the front wall 102 and the bottom wall 104, along the length direction of the water purifier 100. The water tap 110 may be a mechanical water tap or an electronic water tap. For instance, the mechanical water tap may be a device that operates, to dispense the purified water, based on a manual operation of the user on the mechanical water tap. For instance, the electronic water tap may be a device that operates, to dispense the purified water, based on the user operation on the operational display unit 108 or the like.

[0052]

[0050] The one or more electrical units 204 may be provided next to the first side wall 106 along the length direction of the water purifier 100. In other words, the one or more electrical units 204 may be provided between the filtering unit 200 and the first side wall 106. The one or more electrical units 204 may include a solenoid valve 214, a power supply unit (not illustrated), and / or a processing circuitry (not illustrated).

[0051] In an embodiment, the solenoid valve 214 may be configured to control the flow of the raw water in the water purifier 100. For instance, the solenoid valve 214 may be configured to allow the raw water to flow into the water purifier 100 only when the solenoid valve 214 is energized with a power supply. In an example embodiment, the solenoid valve 214 may be energized with the power supply only when the water level of the purified water in the water storage tank 202 is below a threshold water level. Alternatively, the solenoid valve 214 may not be energized when the water level of the purified water in the water storage tank 202 is above a threshold water level. In this case, the solenoid valve 214 may not allow the raw water to flow into the water purifier 100. In an embodiment, the power supply required to energize the solenoid valve 214 may be provided by the power supply unit.

[0053]

[0052] In an embodiment, the power supply unit may include a transformer (or an adapter) that is configured to deliver the power supply to the solenoid valve 214. In an embodiment, the water purifier 100 may further include a plurality of sensors such as flow sensors, TDS sensors, water level indicators, and / or the like. For instance, the flow sensors may be configured to output measurements indicating a flow rate of water in the water purifier 100. The TDS sensors may be configured to output measurements indicating a TDS value of water. The water level indicators may be configured to output measurements indicating the water level of water. In an embodiment, the TDS sensors and the water level indicators may be associated with the water storage tank 202 to measure the TDS value of the purified water and the water level of the purified water, respectively.

[0054]

[0053] In an embodiment, the processing circuitry may be communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors installed in the water purifier 100. Further, the processing circuitry may be configured to control over all operations of the water purifier 100 based on the measurements outputted by the plurality of sensors. For instance, the processing circuitry may be configured to control, based on the measurements outputted from the water level indicators, the power supply unit to deliver the power supply. Further, the processing circuitry may be configured to control, based on the measurements outputted from the TDS sensors, the operation display unit 108 to display the operation information. Furthermore, the processing circuitry may be configured to turn-on / turn- off the water purifier 100 based on a user operation on the operation display unit 108. Furthermore, the processing circuitry may be configured to control, based on a user operation on the operation display unit 108 and the measurements outputted from the water level indicators, the operation display unit 108 to output information indicating the water level of the purified water. Furthermore, the processing circuitry may be configured to enable or disable the UV filter device based on a user operation on the operation display unit 108. In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry may include a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), and / or the like.

[0055]

[0054] The water purifier 100 may further include the water outlet valve 206a. In an embodiment, the water outlet valve 206a may be provided such that the one or more electrical units 204, the first side wall 106, the rear wall 114, and the filtering unit 200 surround the water outlet valve 206a. The water outlet valve 206a may be configured to dispense residual water. As used herein, the residual water may be water that is rejected during the purification process of the water purifier 100. Additionally, at least one of the filter element 210b or the filter element 210c may have an additional outlet valve. The additional outlet valve may be coupled (e.g., via the water purifier pipe tube) to the water outlet valve 206a to dispense the residual water.

[0056]

[0055] In this way, the one or more electrical units 204, the filtering unit 200, and the water storage tank 202 are arranged within the plurality of walls to optimize the size of the water purifier 100. In an embodiment, the length of the water purifier 100 may be in a range of 400 millimeters (mm) to 500 mm, the width of the water purifier 100 may be in a range of 300 mm to 400 mm, and the height of the water purifier 100 may be in a range of 100 mm to 200 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the water purifier 100 may be in a range of 440 mm to 460 mm, the width of the water purifier 100 may be in a range of 325 mm to 345 mm, and the height of the water purifier 100 may be in a range of 110 mm to 210 mm. By having the size of the water purifier 100 in the above-mentioned ranges, the water purifier 100 may be made portable and / or may be enabled to accommodate in limited space of kitchen.

[0057]

[0056] Additionally, the water purifier 100 may further include a plurality of male coupling portions 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d and a plurality of female coupling portions. In an embodiment, the plurality of male coupling portions 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d and the plurality of female coupling portions may be provided to attach the bottom wall 104 to the water purifier 100. The plurality of male coupling portions 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d and the plurality of female coupling portions may be made of the plastic. In an embodiment, the plurality of male coupling portions 216c and 216d may be provided on an inner surface of the first side wall 106 and the plurality of male coupling portions 216a and 216b may be provided on an inner surface of the second side wall 112, respectively. In an embodiment, the plurality of female coupling portions may be provided on an inner surface of the bottom wall 104. In an embodiment, the plurality of male coupling portions 216a, 216b, 216c, and 216d and the plurality of female coupling portions may form a mechanical engagement to attach the bottom wall 104 to the water purifier 100. In an example embodiment, the bottom wall 104 may be attached to the water purifier 100 in such a manner that the bottom wall 104 is opened along the height direction of the water purifier 100 (e.g., the negative height direction of the water purifier 100).

[0058]

[0057] FIG. 3 A illustrates a perspective view of a water purifier 300 with the bottom wall 104 in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is explained in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 1, FIG. 1A, FIG. IB, FIG. 1C, and FIG. 2. The water purifier 300 may correspond to the water purifier 100 (described in the detailed description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), except that the water purifier 300 includes bottom wall 302 in the open position and the operational display unit 108 having a plurality of LEDs. In an embodiment, the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116 of the housing 118 may define the chamber 120 of the water purifier 300. The housing 118 includes the plurality of male coupling portions, a plurality of female coupling portions 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d, and an opening assembly 306. In an embodiment, the plurality of female coupling portions 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d may be mechanically engaged with the plurality of male coupling portions to attach the bottom wall 302 to the water purifier 300. In other words, when the bottom wall 302 is in the closed position, the plurality of female coupling portions are mechanically locked to the plurality of male coupling portions.

[0059]

[0058] In an embodiment, the plurality of female coupling portions 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d are mechanically unlocked from the plurality of male coupling portions to detach and open the bottom wall 302. In other words, when the bottom wall 302 is in the open position, the plurality of female coupling portions are mechanically unengaged from the plurality of male coupling portions to allow the bottom wall 302 to open along the negative height direction of the water purifier 300. For instance, the plurality of female coupling portions 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d may correspond to the plurality of female coupling portions described in the detailed description of FIG. 2. Additionally, when the bottom wall 302 is in the closed position, the plurality of female coupling portions are mechanically engaged to the plurality of male coupling portions.

[0059] In an embodiment, when the bottom wall 302 is in the open position, the bottom wall 302 may be attached to the rear wall 114 of the water purifier 300 (e.g., the rear wall 114 of the water purifier 100) via the opening assembly 306. The opening assembly 306 may allow the bottom wall 302 to open along the height direction of the water purifier 300 (e.g., the negative height direction of the water purifier 100). In an embodiment, the opening assembly 306 may be a hinge assembly. For instance, the hinge assembly may allow the bottom wall 302 to move into the open position, along the negative z-axis direction of the water purifier 300, from an x-y plane of the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z) to an x-z plane of the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z). In other words, the hinge assembly may allow the bottom wall 302 to move between the closed position and to the open position, in an angle ranging between 0 degrees to 90 degrees, along the negative z-axis direction of the water purifier 300. For the purpose of the explanation, the opening assembly 306 is considered as the hinge assembly. However, the opening assembly 306 may include other alternatives to the hinge assembly that allow the bottom wall 302 to open along the height direction of the water purifier 300, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060]

[0060] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the water purifier 300 with the one or more filter elements moved in the second position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is explained in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 1 - FIG. 3 A. The water purifier 300 may correspond to the water purifier 100 (described in the detailed description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), except that the water purifier 300 includes the bottom wall 302 in the open position and the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c moved in the second position. The one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c are held by the one or more filter holders which allow the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c to move between the first position and the second position. The holding member (not illustrated) includes the one or more filter holders and is movably coupled to the at least one mounting member 208 that is detachably coupled to the rear wall 114 of the housing 118.

[0061]

[0061] In other words, the one or more filter holders may allow the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c to move in the second position, in a range between 0 degrees to 90 degrees, along the negative z-axis direction of the water purifier 300. By providing the water purifier 300 with the bottom wall 302 which can be moved in the open position and the filter element moved in the second direction, the serviceability of the water purifier 300 is improved. For instance, the one or more filter elements in the water purifier 300 may be clogged up with impurities. To ensure optimal performance of the water purifier 300, the one or more filter elements should be replaced at regular intervals. To this end, by providing the water purifier 300 with the bottom wall 302 which can be moved to the open position along with the filter elements which can be moved to the second position, the replacement of the one or more filters is made easy.

[0062]

[0062] In an example embodiment, when the bottom wall 302 is opened along the height direction of the water purifier 300, the one or more of filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c may rotate and move in the second position i.e., along the negative height direction of the water purifier 300 due to gravity. To avoid the rotation of the one or more of filter elements 210a, 210b, and 210c along the negative height direction of the water purifier 300, in an example embodiment, a stopper plate (not illustrated) is provided. The stopper plate is removably configured with the mounting unit 218 and is used to restrict movement of the one or more filter elements 210a, 210b and 210c between the first position and the second position.

[0063]

[0063] For the purpose of the explanation, the bottom wall 302 of the water purifier 300 (or the water purifier 100) is considered to be moved to the open position. However, in some example embodiments, the top wall of the water purifier 100 (or the water purifier 300) may be in the open position along the height direction of the water purifier 100 or the width direction of the water purifier 100.

[0064]

[0064] FIGs. 4A illustrates another exemplary perspective view of a water purifier 400 with a top wall 402 in a closed position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A is explained in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 1 - FIG. 3B. The water purifier 400 may correspond to the water purifier 100 (or the water purifier 300), except that the water purifier 400 includes the top wall 402 in the closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the water purifier 400 may further include an opening assembly 408. In an embodiment, the opening assembly 408 may be a sliding assembly that allows the top wall 402 to move to the open position and the closed position. The sliding assembly 408 may include a plurality of slide rails 410a, 410b, and 410c.

[0065]

[0065] In one embodiment, each of the slide rails 410a and 410c may house a male slidable assembly (not illustrated) and a female slidable assembly (not illustrated). For instance, the male slidable assembly may slide along the female slidable assembly to move in and out of the female slidable assembly. This sliding mechanism may allow the top wall 402 to move from the open position to the closed position. The slide rail 410b may be provided to support the slide rails 410a and 410c. In one embodiment, the male slidable assembly may be provided on an inner surface of the top wall 402 and the female slidable assembly may be provided on the water purifier 400.

[0066]

[0066] FIG. 4B illustrates another perspective view of a water purifier 400 with a top wall 402 in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B is explained in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 1-FIG. 4A. The water purifier 400 may correspond to the water purifier 100 (or the water purifier 300), except that the water purifier 400 includes the top wall 402 which can be moved to the open position. In an embodiment, the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116 of the water purifier 400 may house the filtering unit 404 and the mounting unit (not illustrated) of the water purifier 400. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the housing of the water purifier 400 may include a filtering unit 404, one or more electrical units (not illustrated), and a water storage tank 406. The one or more filter elements of the filtering unit 404 and the water storage tank 406 may correspond to the one or more filter elements of the filtering unit 200 and the water storage tank 202 described in the detailed description of FIG. 2, respectively. In one embodiment, the one or more electrical units may be provided adjacent to the filtering unit 404. In another embodiment, the one or more electrical units may be provided adjacent to the water storage tank 406.

[0067]

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the water purifier 400 may further include an opening assembly 408. In an embodiment, the opening assembly 408 may be a sliding assembly that allows the top wall 402 to move to the open position along the width direction of the water purifier 400 (e.g., a positive width direction of the water purifier 400). The sliding assembly 408 may include a plurality of slide rails 410a, 410b, and 410c. In an embodiment, the plurality of slide rails 410a, 410b, and 410c may be configured to one or more walls of the plurality of walls 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, and 116 of the housing 118 to install the water purifier 400 on a support surface. In another embodiment, in the water purifier 400, a set of first slide rails of the plurality of slide rails 410a, 410b, and 410c are configured with the top wall 402 of the housing and a second set of slide rails of the plurality of slide rails 410a, 410b, and 410c are configured with at least one of the side walls (e.g., 112 and 106) and the rear wall 114 of the housing. The set of first slide rails and the set of second slide rails are configured to allow a slidable movement of the water purifier 400 between the top wall 402, at least one of the side walls (e.g., 112 and 106), and the rear wall 114 of the housing.

[0068] In one embodiment, each of the slide rails 410a and 410c may house a male slidable assembly (not illustrated) and a female slidable assembly (not illustrated). For instance, the male slidable assembly may slide along the female slidable assembly to move in and out of the female slidable assembly. The slide rail 410b may be provided to support the slide rails 410a and 410c. In one embodiment, the male slidable assembly may be provided on an inner surface of the top wall 402 and the female slidable assembly may be provided on the water purifier 400. In this embodiment, the top wall 402 may be a moving part of the sliding assembly and the water purifier 400 may be a stationary part of the sliding assembly. In another embodiment, the female slidable assembly may be provided on the inner surface of the top wall 402 and the male slidable assembly may be provided on the water purifier 400. In this embodiment, the water purifier 400 may be the moving part of the sliding assembly and the top wall 402 may be the stationary part of the sliding assembly.

[0068]

[0069] In another embodiment, each of the slide rails 410a and 410c may house an inner member (not illustrated) and outer member (not illustrated). For instance, the inner member may include a series of rollers that smoothly roll along the outer member. For instance, the outer member may include at least one trace member or guide member that guides the inner member to move in and out of the outer member. The slide rail 410b may be provided to support the slide rails 410a and 410c. In one embodiment, the inner member may be provided on the inner surface of the top wall 402 and the outer member may be provided on the water purifier 400. In this embodiment, the top wall 402 may be the moving part of the sliding assembly and the water purifier 400 may be the stationary part of the sliding assembly. In another embodiment, the outer member may be provided on the inner surface of the top wall 402 and the inner member may be provided on the water purifier 400. In this embodiment, the water purifier 400 may be the moving part of the sliding assembly and the top wall 402 may be the stationary part of the sliding assembly.

[0069]

[0070] Additionally, FIG. 4B illustrates in an enlarged view, a peg lock 412 which is present on the outer member. When the top wall 402 is to be moved into the closed position, then the series of rollers present on the inner member are smoothly rolled along the at least one trace member or the guide member present on the outer member and the peg lock 412 present on the outer member is pushed into a slot (not illustrated) present on the inner member and is locked into place. In an example embodiment, at least one peg lock may be present on the outer member of the slide rails 410a and 410c. Secure locking of the peg lock into a slot (not illustrated) present on the inner member may assure that the top wall 402 is securely closed.

[0070]

[0071] For the purpose of the explanation, the opening assembly 408 is considered to be the sliding assembly to move the top wall 402 to the open position along the width direction of the water purifier 400. However, in an example embodiment, the opening assembly 408 may be replaced with the opening assembly 306a and 306b to move the top wall 402 in the open position along the height direction of the water purifier 400, as described in the detailed description of FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B. In another embodiment, the top wall 402 may be coupled to a support surface (not illustrated) through suitable means such as screw, nut, bolt, and hook to secure the water purifier 400 to the support surface. The support surface may be a side or a bottom portion of a kitchen cabinet, a shelf inside the kitchen cabinet, a flat wall, and the like. In this embodiment, the outer member is provided on the inner surface of the top wall 402 and the inner member is provided on the water purifier 400. In this embodiment, the water purifier 400 may be the moving part of the sliding assembly and the top wall 402 may be the stationary part of the sliding assembly.

[0071]

[0072] In an example embodiment, a rear wall may be coupled to the support surface through the suitable means to secure the water purifier 400 to the support surface. The rear wall may correspond to the rear wall 114 of the filtering unit 100 described in the detailed description of FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the inner member may be provided on the inner surface of the top wall 402 and the outer member may be provided on the water purifier 400. In this embodiment, the top wall 402 may be the moving part of the sliding assembly and the water purifier 400 may be the stationary part of the sliding assembly. In other words, the top wall may move either in the positive length direction or a negative length direction of the water purifier 400.

[0072]

[0073] By providing the water purifier 400 with the top wall 402 which can be moved in the open position, the installation and accessibility of the water purifier 400 is improved. For instance, the water purifier 400 can be installed in places where the kitchen cabinet is absent, the installation is to be done inside the kitchen cabinet or when the water purifier 400 needs to be installed in a small and narrow space through either of the pair of side walls 112 and 106.

[0073]

[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the water purifier 400 with a top wall moved in the open position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is explained in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 1-FIG. 4B. The water purifier 400 may correspond to the water purifier 100, or the water purifier 300 described in the detailed description of FIG. 1, or FIG. 3 A, respectively. On moving a top wall (not illustrated) to the open position, the one or more filter elements 404a, 404b, and 404c and the water storage tank 406 are shown to be configured to a bottom wall of the water purifier 400. A water tap is present on a front wall of a housing and dispenses filtered water. For instance, the bottom wall 104, the front wall 102, the top wall 116, the housing 118 and the water tap 110 correspond to the bottom wall, the front wall, the top wall, the housing, and the water tap, respectively in the detailed description of FIG. 1. A water inlet valve and a water outlet valve is configured to a rear wall of the water purifier 400. For instance, the rear wall 114, the water inlet valve 206b and the water outlet valve 206a correspond to the rear wall, the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve respectively in the detailed description of FIG. 1. and FIG. 2.

[0074]

[0075] In an embodiment, the opening assembly 408 may be the sliding assembly that allows the top wall 116 to move to the open position along the width direction of the water purifier 400 through the plurality of slide rails 410a, 410b, and 410c.

[0075]

[0076] An exemplary working environment of the water purifier 400 may correspond to be installed and used in a kitchen. The kitchen may at least include a kitchen sink, a tap, and a kitchen cabinet. For instance, the kitchen sink may be a fixture or an appliance that is used for tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning vegetables, and / or the like. The water tap may be the external water source that supplies the raw water to the water purifier 400. The kitchen cabinet may be a storage unit that is used to store kitchen items such as cookware, dishes, food, and / or the like. The kitchen cabinet may have a bottom wall portion that faces the kitchen sink. In an embodiment, the water purifier may be attached (or fixed) to the bottom wall portion of the kitchen cabinet. In an example embodiment, the water purifier may be attached to the bottom wall portion via a lead support plate that is fixed to the bottom wall portion. The water purifier may be configured to purify the raw water supplied from the tap.

[0076]

[0077] As may be appreciated, the water purifier 400 attached to the kitchen cabinet is considered for exemplary purpose. In some example embodiments, the water purifier 400 may be attached to a shelf provided on a wall of the kitchen, a rack provided on the wall of the kitchen, or the like. In some other example embodiments, the water purifier 400 may be provided within the kitchen cabinet. The kitchen cabinet may include a water purifier housing portion for housing the water purifier 400. The kitchen cabinet further includes a bottom portion that faces the kitchen sink. In an embodiment, the water purifier 400 may be attached (or housed) within the kitchen cabinet in such a manner that a bottom wall of the water purifier 400 coincides with the bottom wall portion of the kitchen cabinet. The water purifier 400 may be configured to purify the raw water supplied from the tap.

[0077]

[0078] While various embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI Claim:

1. A water purifier (100) comprising: a housing (118) comprising a chamber (120) defined by a plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116) of the housing (118); a filtering unit (200) comprising one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) configured in the chamber (120); and a mounting unit (218) configured to mount the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) to the housing (118), wherein the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) are configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing (118), and wherein a height direction of the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) coincides with a width direction of the water purifier (100).

2. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first position, the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) are configured to be oriented parallel to a length direction of the housing (118), and wherein in the second position, the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) are configured to be oriented at either an acute angle or a perpendicular angle with respect to the length direction of the housing (118).

3. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the length direction of the housing (118) extends through at least one of the plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116) on which the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) are mounted.

4. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116) comprises a top wall (116), a bottom wall (104), a pair of side walls (112 and 106) configured between the top wall (116) and the bottom wall (104), a front wall (102) and a rear wall (114).

5. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) are removably attached to at least one of the side walls (112 and 106), the front wall (102) and the rear wall (114) of the housing.

6. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the bottom wall (104) and the top wall (116) is movably coupled to at least one of the rear wall (114), the pair of side walls (112, 106) and the front wall (102) to selectively move between an open position and a closed position to allow access to the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) and cover the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) respectively.

7. The water purifier (100) of claim 4, wherein the water purifier (100) comprises a plurality of slide rails (410a, 410b and 410c) configured to one or more walls of the plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114, 116) to install the water purifier (100) on a support surface.

8. The water purifier (100) of claim 7, wherein a set of first slide rails of the plurality of slide rails (410a, 410b and 410c) are configured with the top wall (116) of the housing (118) and a second set of slide rails of the plurality of slide rails are configured with at least one of the side walls (112 and 106) and the rear wall (114) of the housing, wherein the set of first slide rails and the set of second slide rails are configured to allow a slidable movement between the top wall (116) and at least one of the side walls (112 and 106) and the rear wall (114) of the housing (118).

9. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting unit (218) comprises at least one mounting member (208) detachably coupled to one of the plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114 and 116) of the housing (118), and at least one holding member movably coupled to the mounting member (208), the holding member comprising one or more filter holders to hold the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c), and wherein the holding member is configured to allow the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) to move between the first position and the second position.

10. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a stopper plate removably configured with the mounting unit (218), to restrict movement of the one or more filter elements (210a, 210b and 210c) between the first position and the second position.

11. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more electrical units (204) and a water storage tank (206) are configured to be accommodated in the chamber (120).

12. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a water tap (110) is coupled to the front wall (102).

13. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water purifier (100) is supported in a kitchen cabinet through at least one of the plurality of walls (102, 104, 106, 112, 114, 116) of the housing (118).

Images