Valve Assembly with Bypass Path for Continuous Water Supply

The patent removes the complex electric system (door switch, solenoid valve) from the water purifying system and replaces it with a purely mechanical valve assembly that uses the filter assembly's own structure and weight to control water flow. The valve assembly includes a valve body with a valve seat, a valve member that moves between seated and raised positions, and uses the filter assembly as both the filtering element and the actuating mechanism, thereby extracting the harmful complexity while preserving the water supply control function.

The filter assembly serves dual functions: it performs water filtration and simultaneously acts as the actuating mechanism for the valve. When the filter assembly is installed, its weight and structure automatically push the valve member to the raised position to open water flow. When removed, the spring automatically returns the valve member to the seated position to close water flow. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate electric control systems.

The valve assembly divides the water flow path into distinct segments: a first passage for raw water flow and a second passage for purified water flow. The valve member selectively opens or closes these passages independently. During filter replacement, the bypass path (first passage) is opened while the filtration path (second passage) remains closed, ensuring that raw water bypasses the filter without mixing with the purified water stream, thus maintaining flow continuity while preventing contamination.

The valve member dynamically transitions between different positions to control water flow paths. In the raised position, it opens the bypass path for raw water while closing the filtration path. In the seated position, it closes the bypass path and opens the filtration path for purified water. This dynamic control ensures that raw and purified water never mix, while allowing continuous water supply during filter replacement.