Valve opener and filter device for treating liquids

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve opener (4) for opening a valve (3.4) of a filter device (1) for treating liquids, the valve opener (4) being provided for insertion into a filter jug (5) of the filter device (1) in an assembly direction (100), and the valve opener (4) being designed to guide a valve (3.4) in the base region (3.3) of an inlet funnel (3) of the filter device (1) inserted into the filter jug (5) from a closed position into an open position, characterized in that the valve opener (4) is provided for passing through at least one opening (3.7) in the base region (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3) in order to transfer the valve (3.4) from the closed position into the open position. The invention also relates to a corresponding filter device (1) having the valve opener (4) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] title

[0003] Valve opener and filter device for processing liquids

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The present invention relates to a valve opener for opening a valve of a filter device for processing liquids, wherein the valve opener is provided for insertion into a filter jug ​​of the filter device along a mounting direction and wherein the valve opener is designed to move a valve in the bottom area of ​​an inlet funnel of the filter device inserted into the filter jug ​​from a closed position to an open position.

[0006] Such valve openers are known in principle from the prior art and serve to open the valve located below the filter cartridge in the inlet funnel of a filter device, thus enabling water filtration by the filter cartridge. The filter device can then typically be used to optimize water quality. The filter cartridges contain a filter medium in the form of granules for the chemical and / or mechanical removal or reduction of organic and inorganic contaminants.

[0007] Document WO 2022 / 207 155 A1 discloses a generic valve opener which is designed to grip the valve body by means of a gripping edge designed as a ring strip and to lift it into its open position due to an elastic deformation of parts of the valve opener, as illustrated for example in Figure 7A.

[0008] A disadvantage of this arrangement is that when the valve opener is inserted into the receiving chamber of the inlet funnel, it cannot assume a stable position and can easily slip if the filter device or inlet funnel is tilted. When the filter cartridge is then inserted, there is a risk that the valve opener will have already moved from its ideal central position on the pipe section, and the pressure could damage the valve opener or the valve itself. The risk of lateral tilting is further increased by the fact that some opening systems require a horizontal force component to be applied to the valve body to open the valve, creating a horizontal counterforce on the valve opener that can cause it to tilt. Furthermore, the valve opener is relatively complex to machine and therefore correspondingly expensive to manufacture.

[0009] A similar filter device is known from German patent application DE 202016 008 866 U1, in which a movable valve body is arranged in a hollow body at the bottom of the inlet funnel. This valve body is moved from a closed position to an open position by means of a mandrel located in the indentation at the bottom of the filter cartridge, so that the filtered water can flow from the inlet funnel into the reservoir of the filter jug. The mandrel is designed as a valve actuation device, which engages in a spiral contour of the valve body to convert a linear movement into a rotary movement that opens the valve. Another filter device of a similar nature is described in German patent application WO 2005 / 118481 A1.

[0010] These opening mechanisms are also comparatively complex in design, making them prone to errors and expensive to manufacture.

[0011] Disclosure of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a valve opener that does not exhibit the disadvantages associated with the prior art and instead ensures a comparatively simple design combined with reliable functionality. Furthermore, the valve opener should be more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0013] The above problem is solved by a valve opener according to claim 1.

[0014] The present invention relates to a valve opener for opening a valve of a filter device for processing liquids, wherein the valve opener is designed for insertion into a filter jug ​​of the filter device along a mounting direction, and wherein the valve opener is configured to move a valve in the base region of an inlet funnel of the filter device inserted into the filter jug ​​from a closed position to an open position, characterized in that the valve opener is designed to penetrate at least one opening in the base region of the inlet funnel in order to move the valve from the closed position to the open position. The valve opener according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art that the valve opener engages the valve through openings in the base region of the inlet funnel.The valve is therefore not actuated "from above," i.e., from the side of the filter cartridge, but "from below," i.e., from the side of the filter jug's collection reservoir. This allows the valve opener to be designed much more simply and thus more cost-effectively, since the valve, and especially its valve body, only needs to be pushed upwards, i.e., moved towards the filter cartridge (against the direction of installation). For this purpose, it is sufficient for the valve opener to establish mechanical contact with the valve body. To achieve this, the valve opener passes through the openings in the base area, which must already be present on the inlet funnel in the area of ​​the valve, so that the treated liquid can flow from the inlet funnel into the collection reservoir of the filter jug.Pulling the valve body from above, as is the case with the prior art, is significantly more complex and therefore more prone to errors, since first a tensile-resistant connection between the valve opener and the valve body must be established and then the tensile force to open the valve must be generated.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the description with reference to the drawings.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve opener has at least one valve lifting element in the form of a lifting needle, which extends antiparallel to the mounting direction and partially engages through the at least one opening in the base of the inlet funnel. Advantageously, the valve opener can thus open the valve even if only relatively small openings are formed in the base of the inlet funnel, by using fine or pointed lifting needles that can project through the small openings towards the filter cartridge. Preferably, the valve opener has a plurality of such lifting needles, which are arranged parallel to one another and all point in the opposite direction to the mounting direction.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve opener comprises at least one support element designed to support the valve opener against the base of the collection reservoir and / or to engage it positively between the walls of the collection reservoir. This advantageously ensures a stable and reliable position of the valve opener in the filter jug ​​before the inlet funnel is inserted into the filter jug. This ensures that the lifting element(s) are indeed aligned with the openings in the base of the inlet funnel when the inlet funnel is inserted into the filter jug. It is conceivable that the support element corresponds to a non-rotationally symmetrical shape of the base or walls of the collection reservoir, thereby also providing anti-rotation protection, thus ensuring the proper functioning of the valve opener at all times.

[0018] It is conceivable that at least one valve lifting element protrudes at a right angle from the support element in the opposite direction of assembly.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is a filter device for treating liquids comprising a filter jug, an inlet funnel and a filter cartridge, wherein the filter cartridge can be inserted into the inlet funnel and the inlet funnel into the filter jug, wherein the filter device further comprises the valve opener according to the invention.

[0020] Preferably, the valve opener can be inserted into the filter jug ​​before the inlet funnel is inserted. This has the advantage that when the inlet funnel is inserted, the valve is automatically moved from the closed position to the open position by the valve opener, as the lifting element(s) engage through the opening. The valve opener is then positioned along the assembly direction essentially between the bottom of the filter jug ​​and the inlet funnel. The arrangement is relatively simple and therefore robust and less prone to malfunction.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lifting element of the valve opener extends through an opening in the base of the inlet funnel and opens the valve when the inlet funnel is inserted into the filter jug. Preferably, the valve has a movable valve body which is lifted by the lifting element when the lifting element extends through the opening.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a valve opener or a filter device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention Figure 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a valve opener 4 and a filter cartridge 2, each according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The present example illustrates a filter device 1 that includes a filter jug ​​5 for serving filtered water. The filter jug ​​5 is shown, by way of example, equipped with a spout, a handle, and a lid.

[0026] An inlet funnel 3 is inserted into the filter jug ​​5. The inlet funnel 3 has an access opening 3.1 through which unfiltered water can be poured into the inlet funnel 3. Furthermore, the inlet funnel 3 has an outlet 3.8 in its base 3.3 at its lower end, through which the water flows from the inlet funnel 3 into the reservoir of the filter jug ​​5. A receiving chamber 3.2 is provided between the outlet 3.8 and the access opening 3.1, into which a filter cartridge 2 is inserted.

[0027] In the area of ​​the outlet 3.8, the inlet funnel 3 has a valve 3.4, which comprises a pipe section 3.6 that opens into the outlet 3.8 and a valve body 3.5. The valve body 3.5 is movable within the pipe section 3.6 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, no water can pass through the valve 3.4 from the inlet funnel 3 towards the reservoir, while in the open position, water can flow from the valve 3.4 towards the reservoir. The closed position is, in particular, a position in which the valve body 3.5 rests on the outlet 3.8 due to gravity, thus closing it. In the open position, the valve body 3.5 is slightly raised relative to the outlet 3.8, thereby opening it. Figure 1 schematically illustrates the valve 3.4 in the closed position. Pipe section 3.6 is positioned opposite the mounting direction 100° from the ground 3.3 of the inlet funnel 3 in the direction of the filter cartridge 2 and houses the valve body 3.5.

[0028] In the present example, the filter cartridge 2 is inserted into the receiving chamber 3. The filter cartridge 2 is inserted by a user through the access opening 3.1 along a mounting direction 100 into the receiving chamber 3 of the inlet funnel 3. The mounting direction 100 extends essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis 102 of the filter cartridge 2.

[0029] The filter cartridge 2 has at least one inlet opening 2.3 on its upper side, which in this case is, by way of example, designed as several parallel inlet slots. On its lower side, the filter cartridge has at least one outlet opening 2.4, which in this case is, by way of example, designed as several openings in the base 2.5 of the filter cartridge 2. A filter chamber 2.1 extends along the longitudinal axis 102 between the inlet openings 2.3 and the outlet openings 2.4, and is at least partially filled with a filter medium 2.2. The filter medium 2.2 comprises, in particular, granules for the chemical and / or mechanical removal or reduction of organic or inorganic contaminants in the water that flows through the filter cartridge 2 along a main flow direction 101 from the inlet openings 2.3 to the outlet openings 2.4.For special applications, it is preferably intended to enhance the granules in such a way that additives such as minerals are added to the flowing water, which contribute to the well-being of the user who consumes the water.

[0030] The filter cartridge 2 is a consumable part, meaning that a filter cartridge 2 in use must be replaced by a user with a new filter cartridge 2 after a certain period of time or after a certain number of use cycles. The used filter cartridge 2 is removed from the receiving space 3.2 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 100, and a new filter cartridge 2 is inserted along the mounting direction 100.

[0031] In order for the filter cartridge 2 to exert its filtering effect, the valve 3.4 must be moved from the closed position to the open position. The valve opener 4 is provided for this purpose, or the filter device 1 incorporates the valve opener 4.

[0032] The valve opener 4 is inserted into the filter jug ​​5 before the inlet funnel 3 is inserted into the filter jug ​​5. The valve opener 4 is therefore located in the collection reservoir 5.1 for filtered water of the filter jug ​​5. Furthermore, in the assembly direction 100, the valve opener 4 is essentially positioned between the inlet funnel 3 and the base 5.2 of the filter jug ​​5.

[0033] The valve opener 4 has a support element 4.2, which extends, in particular, perpendicular to the mounting direction 100 along a transverse plane 103 and parallel to the base 5.2 of the filter jug ​​5. The support element 4.2 preferably extends from one wall 5.3 of the filter jug ​​5 to the opposite wall 5.3, so that it is positively positioned and, in particular, centered in its position perpendicular to the mounting direction 100. Slippage of the valve opener 4 along the transverse plane 103 is thus reliably prevented. The support element 4.2 comprises, in particular, an X-shaped, cross-shaped, star-shaped, or oval configuration in a transverse plane 103 perpendicular to the mounting direction 100. In the present example, the valve opener 4 also has a plurality of valve lifting elements 4.1. The valve lifting elements 4.1 are each designed as thin lifting needles, which extend from the support element 4.2 against the mounting direction 100 and in the direction of the inlet funnel 3 or .The free end of each valve lifting element 4.1, facing the filter cartridge 2, extends through the openings 3.7 in the base of the inlet funnel 3.7 and comes into contact with the valve body 3.5 as soon as the inlet funnel 3 is inserted into the filter jug ​​5 and takes its seat there. Due to the relative movement during insertion of the inlet funnel 3, the valve body 3.5 is pushed upwards by the valve lifting elements 4.1 towards the filter cartridge 2, thus moving it from its closed position to its open position. The valve body 3.5 then rests on the free ends of the valve lifting elements and is thereby held in its open position. The water can then flow from the inlet funnel 3 through the filter cartridge 2 and the open valve 3.4 of the inlet funnel 3 into the collection reservoir 5.1 of the filter jug ​​5. The valve opener 4 is preferably made of injection-molded plastic.

[0034] Reference symbol list

[0035] 1 filter device

[0036] 2 filter cartridges

[0037] 3 inlet funnels

[0038] 4 valve openers

[0039] 5 filter jugs

[0040] 2 filter cartridges

[0041] 2.1 Filter chamber

[0042] 2.2 Filter medium

[0043] 2.3 Inlet opening

[0044] 2.4 Outlet opening

[0045] 2.5 Bottom of the filter cartridge

[0046] 3 inlet funnels

[0047] 3.1 Access opening

[0048] 3.2 Recording room

[0049] 3.3 Bottom area of ​​the inlet funnel

[0050] 3.4 Valve

[0051] 3.5 Valve body

[0052] 3.6 Pipe section of the valve

[0053] 3.7 Opening(s) in the bottom of the inlet funnel

[0054] 4 valve openers

[0055] 4.1 Valve lifting element

[0056] 4.2 Support element

[0057] 5 filter jugs

[0058] 5.1 Collection reservoir

[0059] 5.2 Bottom of the collection reservoir

[0060] 5.3 Walls of the collection reservoir

[0061] 100 Mounting direction

[0062] 101 Main flow direction

[0063] 102 Longitudinal axis

[0064] 103 Cross plane

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Valve opener (4) for opening a valve (3.4) of a filter device (1) for processing liquids, wherein the valve opener (4) is provided for insertion into a filter jug ​​(5) of the filter device (1) along a mounting direction (100) and wherein the valve opener (4) is designed to move a valve (3.4) in the bottom region (3.3) of an inlet funnel (3) of the filter device (1) inserted into the filter jug ​​(5) from a closed position to an open position, characterized in that the valve opener (4) is provided to penetrate at least one opening (3.7) in the bottom region (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3) in order to move the valve (3.4) from the closed position to the open position.

2. Valve opener (4) according to claim 1, wherein the valve opener (4) has at least one valve lifting element (4.1) in the form of a lifting needle which extends antiparallel to the mounting direction (100) and partially engages through the at least one opening (3.7) in the bottom area (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3).

3. Valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve opener (4) comprises at least one support element (4.2) which is provided to support the valve opener (4) on a bottom (5.2) of the collection reservoir (5) and / or to arrange it in a form-fitting manner between walls (5.3) of the collection reservoir (5).

4. Valve opener (4) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one valve lifting element (4.1) extends perpendicularly from the support element (4.2) in the opposite direction of assembly (100).

5. Valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve opener (4) comprises a plurality of valve lifting elements (4.1).

6. Filter device (1) for processing liquids comprising a filter jug ​​(5), an inlet funnel (3) and a filter cartridge (2), wherein the filter cartridge (2) can be inserted into the inlet funnel (3) and the inlet funnel (3) can be inserted into the filter jug ​​(5), characterized in that the filter device (1) has a valve opener (4) according to one of the preceding claims.

7. Filter device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the valve opener (5) can be inserted into the filter jug ​​(5) before the inlet funnel (3) has been inserted into the filter jug ​​(5).

8. Filter device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the valve opener (5) is arranged along the assembly direction (100) substantially between a base (5.2) of the filter jug ​​(5) and the inlet funnel (3).

9. Filter device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a lifting element (4.1) of the valve opener (4) extends through an opening (3.7) in the base region (3.3) of the inlet funnel (3) and opens the valve (3.4) when the inlet funnel (3) is inserted into the filter jug ​​(5).

10. Filter device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the valve (3.4) has a movable valve body (3.5) which is lifted by the lifting element (4.1) when the lifting element (4.1) extends through the opening (3.7).

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