Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FILTER BASE FOR FAXCTRONIC CONNECTION TO MATING FILTER HOUSING
ASSEMBLY
Technical Field
Embodiments of this invention relate to a filtering apparatus, specifically a
filter housing
apparatus to facilitate easy removal and replacement of a filter housing from
a mechanical
support, and to a push filter design that activates a floating key lock, where
the key may be used
simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter
attributes. The mechanical
support may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and
effluent piping,
such as within a refrigerator. More specifically, the invention relates to a
filter housing and
mount, whereby the filter housing may be attached to, and removed from, the
mount by a push-
actuated release. A controlled arbichment or detachment of the filter sump,
containing the filter
media, may be activated by the axial push of the sump towards the mechanical
support. The
specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter
configurations received
by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations. An internal
shutoff, activated by
the push-actuated release, may block spillage during filter housing removal
and replacement. The
mechanical support may include a filter base for establishing an electrical
connection between
the filter base and the filter housing apparatus that allows for electronic
authentication of the
filter housing assembly, or for analyzing other criteria associated with a
filter cartridge, such as
whether the filter media has reached the end of its useful life.
Description of Related Art
The invention relates to a water filtration system having a locking and
unlocking mechanism for
changing the filter when the filter media has served its useful life. The use
of liquid filtration
devices is well known in the art as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,135,645,
5,914,037 and
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6,632,355_ Although these patents show filters for water filtration, the
filters are difficult to
replace owing to their design and placement. For example, U.S. Patent No.
5,135,645 discloses a
filter cartridge as a plug-in cartridge with a series of switches to prevent
the flow of water when
the filter cartridge is removed for replacement. The filter must be manually
inserted and removed
and have a switch activated to activate valve mechanisms so as to prevent the
flow of water
when the filter is removed. The cover of the filter is placed in the sidewall
of a refrigerator and is
employed to activate the switches that activate the valves. The filter access
is coplanar with the
refrigerator wall and forces an awkward access to the filter cartridge.
In U.S. Patent Application No, 11/511,599 filed on August 28, 2006, to Huda,
entitled: "FILTER
HOUSING APPARATUS WITH ROTATING FILTER REPLACEMENT MECHANISM," a
filter assembly having a rotator actuating mechanism including a first
internal rotator and a
second internal rotator is taught as an efficient way to insert, lock, and
remove the filter housing
from its base. A simple push mechanism actuates the self-driving release and
change over means
that hold and release the filter housing sump, and provide influent shutoff to
prevent leaking and
spillage. Rotational shutoff and locking mechanisms are activated and released
by axial force on
the filter housing at the commencement of the filter changing procedure.
The instant invention is particularly useful as the water filtering system for
a refrigerator having
water dispensing means and, optionally, an ice dispensing means. The water
used in the
refrigerator or water and ice may contain contaminants from municipal water
sources or from
underground well or aquifers. Accordingly, it is advantageous to provide a
water filtration
system to remove rust, sand, silt, dirt, sediment, heavy metals,
microbiological contaminants,
such as Giardia cysts, chlorine, pesticides, mercury, benzene, toluene, MTBE,
Cadmium
bacteria, viruses, and other know contaminants. Particularly useful water
filter media for
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microbiological contaminants include those found in U.S. Patent Nos_
6,872,311, 6,835,311,
6,797,167, 6,630,016, 5,331,037, and 5,147,722.
One of the uses of the instant filter apparatus is as a water filtration
apparatus for a
refrigerator. Refrigerators are appliances with an outer cabinet, a
refrigeration compartment
disposed within the outer cabinet and having a rear wall, a pair of opposing
side walls, at least
one door disposed opposite the rear wall, a top and a bottom and a freezer
compartment disposed
in the outer cabinet and adjacent to the refrigeration compartment. It is
common for refrigerators
to have a water dispenser disposed in the door and in fluid communication with
a source of water
and a filter for filtering the water. Further, it is common for refrigerators
to have an ice dispenser
in the door and be in fluid communication with a source of water and a filter
for filtering the
water. It has been found that the filter assembly of the instant invention is
useful as a filter for a
refrigerator having a water dispenser and/or an ice dispenser.
Disclosure of the Inventiom
The present invention is directed to, in a first aspect, a filter base for
receiving a complementary
mating filter housing assembly, the filter base comprising: a base platform
having fluid ingress
and egress ports; and a wire harness assembly for establishing an electrical
connection between
the filter base and the complementary mating filter housing assembly, the wire
harness assembly
including: a first connector; a second connector, conductors extending between
the first and
second connectors; one or more contacts provided on the second connector, the
one or more
contacts being flexible from a first position to a second position when a
mating portion of the
one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of the complementary
mating filter
housing assembly; and a connector housing integral with or connected to the
base platform, the
connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower
surface and contact-
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receiving enclosures extending from the upper surface, the contact-receiving
enclosures
dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts.
The one or more contacts may include termination sections mounted on the
second connector at
the first end portion and received in the contact-receiving enclosures,
compliant sections
extending from the termination sections, and substrate engagement sections
extending from the
compliant sections, and wherein the one or more contacts mating portions
comprise the substrate
engagements sections_
The one or more contacts termination sections may include folded over areas
proximate free ends
forming insulation displacement slots cooperating with the conductors
extending between the
first and second connectors.
The filter base further including contact-receiving projections extending from
the connector
housing lower surface, the contact-receiving projections including slots
dimensioned to receive
and retain a portion of the folded over areas of the termination sections of
the one or more
contacts therein.
The filter base further including conductor-receiving conduits integral with
the connector
housing upper and lower surfaces, the conductor-receiving conduits dimensioned
to receive a
portion of the conductors extending between the first and second connectors,
wherein the
conductors positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits extend through the
contact-receiving
enclosures.
The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board
of the
complementary mating filter housing assembly, and wherein the one or more
contacts mating
portions have curved contact sections configured to be positioned in
mechanical and electrical
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engagement with the circuit pads when the complementary mating filter housing
assembly is
received within the filter base.
The connector housing is partially disposed within laterally-extending slotted
portions of the
base platform.
5 In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a combination
filter base and filter
housing assembly, the combination comprising: a filter base having fluid
ingress and egress ports
on a base platform; a wire harness assembly for establishing an electrical
connection between the
filter base and the filter housing assembly, the wire harness assembly
including: a first
connector; a second connector; conductors extending between the first and
second connectors;
one or more contacts provided on the second connector, the one or more
contacts being flexible
from a first position to a second position when curved contact sections of the
one or more
contacts engage a mating connection surface of the complementary mating filter
housing
assembly; and a connector housing integral with or connected to the base
platform, the connector
housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and
contact-receiving
enclosures extending from the upper surface, the contact-receiving enclosures
dimensioned to
receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts; and a filter housing
for enclosing a filter
media, the filter housing having a body and a top portion for forming a fluid-
tight seal with the
body, the filter housing top portion including the mating connection surface
for engaging the one
or more contacts mating portions to establish an electrical connection between
the filter base and
the filter housing assembly, the mating connection surface structured to be in
mechanical and
electrical engagement with the curved contact sections of the one or more
contacts when the
filter housing is received within the filter base.
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The one or more contacts may have termination sections mounted on the second
connector at the
first end portion and received in the contact-receiving enclosures, compliant
sections extending
from the termination sections, and substrate engagement sections extending
from the compliant
sections, wherein the one or more contacts curved contact sections comprise
the substrate
engagements sections.
The filter base one or more contacts are flexible from a first position to a
second position when
the curved contact sections of the one or more contacts engage the mating
connection surface of
the filter housing top portion.
The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board
located on or
connected to the filter housing top portion.
A printed circuit board housing is located on or connected to the filter
housing top portion, the
printed circuit board housing including a recess for receiving the printed
circuit board therein and
for connecting the printed circuit board to the filter housing top portion.
The filter housing top portion includes ingress and egress ports positioned
along a chord line that
does not intersect an axial center of the filter housing top portion, such
that a diameter line
extending perpendicularly through the chord line is dissected in unequal
parts, the ingress and
egress ports received within ingress and egress stanchions of the filter base.
The filter housing top portion ingress and egress ports each extend vertically
upwards from the
filter cartridge housing top portion in a direction parallel to the axial
center, wherein each of the
ingress port and egress port have at least one portion or segment
approximately cylindrical in
cross-section, including a first segment forming a top portion of the ingress
port and egress port,
a third segment adjacent the housing top portion, and a second segment located
between the first
and third segments having at least one aperture or cavity for fluid flow, the
first segment and
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third segment having a first diameter, and the second segment having a second
diameter unequal
to the first diameter.
The ingress port and egress port second segments may be formed in an hourglass
shape.
The ingress port second segment cavity and the egress port second segment
cavity are exposed in
a direction opposite the filter housing top portion mating connection surface.
The combination further including: a filter key located on or connected to the
filter housing top
portion, the filter key including an extended attachment member having a
bottom surface being
at least partially exposed, the filter key attachment member bottom surface
being releasably
engageable with a top surface of the at least one shaped protrusion when the
filter key is inserted
within a locking member located on the filter base in an axial insertion
direction, such that
extraction of the filter housing assembly is prohibited.
The combination further including an electronic circuit component housing
disposed adjacent to
the filter key and having a recess for receiving an electronic circuit
component therein and for
further connecting the electronic circuit component to the filter housing top
portion, the mating
connection surface in electrical communication with the electronic circuit
component.
In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for attaching
a filter housing
assembly to a filter base, the filter base including a base platform and a
wire harness assembly
for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the
filter housing assembly,
the wire harness assembly including a first connector, a second connector,
conductors extending
between the first and second connectors, and one or more contacts provided on
the second
connector and being flexible from a first position to a second position when
curved contact
sections of the one or more contacts engage a mating connection surface of a
complementary
mating filter housing assembly, and further including a connector housing
integral with or
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connected to the base platform, the connector housing having an upper surface
and an oppositely
facing lower surface and contact-receiving enclosures extending from the upper
surface, the
contact-receiving enclosures dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the
one or more
contacts, the method comprising: inserting ingress and egress ports of the
filter housing assembly
into ingress and egress stanchions of the filter base to generate a resilient
extraction force in an
axial insertion direction; inserting a filter key of the filter housing
assembly into a locking
member of the filter base; while inserting, engaging a mating connection
surface of the filter
housing with the one or more contacts curved contact sections to establish an
electrical
connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, such that
the wire assembly
one or more contacts flex from a first position to a second position and
maintain engagement
with the mating connection surface during the flexing; and releasing the
filter housing assembly
so that the resilient extraction force acts on the filter key attachment
member in an axial
extraction direction to mate the filter key attachment member bottom
contacting surface with the
top surfaces of the locking member opposing drive keys, such that extraction
of the filter housing
assembly is prohibited.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a refrigerator
comprising a filter base
configured to receive a filter cartridge assembly wherein the filter base
comprises: a base
platform having fluid ingress and egress ports; and a wire harness assembly
for establishing an
electrical connection between the filter base and the complementary mating
filter housing
assembly, the wire harness assembly including: a first connector, a second
connector; conductors
extending between the first and second connectors; one or more contacts
provided on the second
connector, the one or more contacts being flexible from a first position to a
second position when
a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection
surface of the
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complementary mating filter housing assembly; and a connector housing integral
with or
connected to the base platform, the connector housing having an upper surface
and an oppositely
facing lower surface and contact-receiving enclosures extending from the upper
surface, the
contact-receiving enclosures dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the
one or more
contacts; and wherein the filter cartridge assembly includes a housing having
a substantially
cylindrical body and a top portion for forming a fluid-tight seal with the
body, the housing top
portion having an axial center and further including: an ingress port and
egress port extending
from the housing top portion, each of the ingress port and egress port having
a body with a top
segment, a middle segment, and a bottom segment adjacent to the housing top
segment and in
fluid communication with the cylindrical body, the ingress port and egress
port top segments
having at least one seal at the junction with the middle segments, and the
ingress port and egress
port bottom segments having at least one seal at the junction with the middle
segments, each of
the seals having an outer surface first diameter, and the ingress port and
egress port middle
segments having an outer surface with a diametric extension less than the
ingress port and egress
port respective seal first diameters, such that the ingress port middle
segment and egress port
middle segment are formed in an hourglass shape; a filter key located on or
connected to the
housing for mating attachment to the filter base, the filter key comprising an
extended finger
including on one side a contacting portion forming a first angle in a first
direction with respect to
the housing top portion and an adjacent side forming a second angle in the
first direction with
respect to the housing top portion, such that the first angle and the second
angle are not equal;
and optionally an electronic circuit component housing disposed adjacent to
the filter key and
having a recess for receiving an electronic circuit component therein, and for
further connecting
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the electronic circuit component to the housing top portion, the electronic
circuit component
housing located on or connected to the filter cartridge assembly housing.
It is an object of this invention to provide a filter housing apparatus
mounted to a base and
having an automatic locking mechanism for simple replacement and removal.
5 It is another object of this invention to provide a filter housing
apparatus mounted on a surface
having non-rotating locking means with pressure activation for replacement and
removal.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a filter housing apparatus
for use with water
dispensing andlor ice dispensing apparatus whereby filtered water is provided
to the water
dispensing and/or ice dispensing apparatus.
10 It is still another object of this invention to provide a filter base
apparatus for establishing an
electrical connection between the filter base and a mating filter housing
assembly that allows for
electronic authentication of the filter housing assembly, or for analyzing
other criteria associated
with a filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media in a replaceable
filter cartridge has
reached the end of its useful life.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements
characteristic of the
invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures
are for illustration
purposes only and are not drawn to scale, The invention itself, however, both
as to organization
and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the
description of the
embodiment(s), which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
na 1A is a top exploded view of one embodiment of the filter assembly of the
present
invention.
FIG. 1B is a side plan view the embodiment of the filter housing assembly of
FIG. 1A.
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FIG. 1C depicts a perspective view of the filter housing assembly with
strengthening ribs
extending at least partially down the outer surface of the filter housing.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the filter key of the
present invention.
FIG. 2B is a lateral side view of the filter key of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2C depicts a bottom plan view of the filter key of FIG. 2A showing a
groove and a locking
nub or tab for attachments.
FIG. 2D depicts a perspective view from the opposite side of the filter key of
FIG. 2C.
FIG. 2E depicts a bottom view of the filter key of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2F is a longitudinal side view of the filter key of FIG,
FIG. 2G depicts a slotted groove which includes a wider upper portion for
securely affixing the
filter key to the filter head or filter manifold.
FIG. 2H is a side view of the filter key depicting an angled, ramp segment,
which at least
partially extends the length of the bottom surface of the filter key.
FIG. 21 depicts the complementary angled ramp segment for the filter key of
FIG. 2H.
FIG. 2I depicts a side view of a partial section of the filter head showing a
mating protrusion for
interlocking with the slotted groove on the filter key, and complementary
angled ramp segments
for interlocking with the ramp segments on the filter key bottom edges.
FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the floating lock or
sliding lock of the
present invention.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view from the opposite side of the floating lock of
FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C is a lateral side view of the floating lock of FIG, 3A.
FIG. 3D depicts a top view of the floating lock of FIG. 3A,
FIG. 3E depicts cross-sectional longitudinal side view of the floating lock of
FIG, 3A.
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FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the filter manifold.
FIG. 4B is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the filter manifold with
an extension
support member.
FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the filter manifold.
FIG. 5A is a side view of one embodiment of the filter head of the present
invention.
FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the filter head of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5C is a top perspective view of the filter head of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5D is another embodiment of the filter head with a snap fit lock for the
filter key.
FIG. 5E is a bottom perspective view of the filter head of FIG, 51).
FIG. 5F is a top perspective view of the filter head depicting the aperture
for receiving the filter
key.
FIG. 5G depicts a one-piece or integrated filter head/filter manifold
construction having ingress
and egress ports for fluid flow.
FIG. 5H is a side view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of FIG. 5G.
FIG. 51 is a bottom view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of FIG, 56,
depicting an off
axial center cylinder for receiving an end cap port of the filter cartridge.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are exploded views of a second embodiment of the filter
assembly of the
present invention, showing a filter key having an extended boss.
FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the filter key of the
present invention
having an extended boss.
FIG, 7B is a bottom perspective view of the filter key of FIG. 7A,
FIG. 7C depicts a top plan view of the filter key of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7D depicts a side plan view of the filter key of FIG. 7A.
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FIG. 7E depicts an end or lateral side view of the embodiment of the filter
key of FIG. 7A,
showing the boss rising above the plane created by the fingers, and two wings
extending laterally
outwards from the boss.
FIG. 7F is a perspective view of another embodiment of the filter key of the
present invention
showing a locking nub located on the bottom portion on a lateral side.
FIG. 8A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the floating lock of
the present
invention.
FIG. 8B is a top view of the floating lock of FIG. SA.
FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the floating lock of FIG. 8A depicting a
drive key located at
one end of the floating lock on the longitudinal or side panel.
FIG. 8D depicts an exploded view of the drive key of FIG. SC showing the edge
angle and face.
FIG. 8E depicts a perspective view of a floating lock having an extension
member.
FIG. 8F is a side view of the floating lock of FIG. SE having an extension
member.
FIG. 8G is a lateral or cross-sectional view of the floating lock of FIG. 8E
with an extension
member.
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a non-floating port of the present invention.
FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the non-floating port of FIG. 9A.
FIG. 10A is a top plan view of one embodiment of the rear plate of the present
invention.
FIG. 10B is a bottom perspective view of the rear plate of FIG. 10A.
FIG. 10C is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the rear plate of the
present invention.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a filter assembly of the present invention,
showing a filter key
having a boss, connected to a filter manifold having extension supports.
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FIG. 12A is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a filter
assembly of the present
invention.
FIG. 12B is a front top perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 12C is a rear top perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG. 12A.
FIG_ 1213 is a rear elevational view of the filter assembly of F1G. 12A.
FIG. 12E is a partial, expanded rear top perspective view of the filter
assembly of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13A is a front top perspective view of a filter key used with the filter
assembly embodiment
of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13B is a rear perspective view of the filter key of FIG. 13A,
FIG. 13C is a side devotional view of the filter key of FIG. 13A.
FIG. 14A is a top-down view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of FIG
12A, with a printed
circuit board directly affixed to the filter housing top portion without a PCB
housing.
FIG. 14B is a partial perspective view of the filter assembly embodiment of
FIG. 14A.
FIG. 14C is a partial front devotional view of the filter assembly of FIG 14A.
FIG. 1413 is a partial side devotional view of the filter assembly of FIG.
14A.
FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical connector
and wire harness
for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wire
harness of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and wire
harness of FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of several contacts of the electrical connector of
FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrical
connector and wire
harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wire
harness of FIG. 19.
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FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and wire
harness of FIG. 19.
FIG. 22 is an upward-facing perspective view of another embodiment of a filter
base according to
the present invention.
FIG. 22A is a downward-facing perspective view of the filter base of FIG. 22.
FIG. 23 is top perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical
connector and wire harness
for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wire
harness of FIG. 23,
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a filter base including an electrical
connector and wire harness for
connection to a mating filter housing assembly according to the present
invention.
FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the filter base and wire assembly
of FIG. 25.
FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the filter base and wire assembly of FIG. 25.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the filter base and wire assembly of FIG. 24
in combination with
a mating filter housing assembly.
FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of the combination filter assembly of
FIG. 28.
FIG. 30 is an upward-facing perspective view of the floating lock of FIG. 27.
FIG. 3GA is an enlargement of the device key of FIG. 30, depicting a receiving
wedge having an
extended shelf portion.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator according to
embodiments of the present
invention.
Description of the Embodiment(s)
In describing the embodiment(s) of the present invention, reference will be
made herein to FIGS. 1 to 31
of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the
invention. Features of the invention are
not necessarily shown to scale.
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Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken
as a limitation of
the invention. For example, words such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right,"
"horizontal,"
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"vertical," "upward," "downward," "longitudinal," "lateral," "radial,"
"clockwise," or
"counterclockwise" merely describe the configuration shown in the drawings.
Indeed, the
referenced components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology,
therefore, should
be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. For
purposes of
clarity, the same reference numbers may be used in the drawings to identify
similar elements.
Additionally, in the subject description, the words "exemplary,"
"illustrative," or the like are used
to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design
described herein
as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily intended to be construed
as preferred or
advantageous over other aspects or design. Rather, the use of the words
"exemplary" or
"illustrative" is merely intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
The present invention is directed to a filter housing assembly for filtration
of liquids, including
the interception of chemical, particulate, and/or microbiological
contaminants. The use of the
mechanical locking assembly of the filter housing without the need for excess
force and tight
tolerances essential in prior art filter housings makes for easy and frequent
filter changes and
optimal filter performance. The filter housing assembly of the present
invention provides
simplified filter changes to minimize process downtime and without recourse to
tools. A simple
push mechanism actuates the self-driving release and change over means that
hold and release
the filter housing sump or filter cartridge, and provides influent shutoff
means to prevent leaking
and spillage. A floating lock or sliding lock responsive to an axial insertion
force from the filter
cartridge moves perpendicular or radially to the axial motion of the sump, and
allows a specific
connector piece or filter key to insert within the floating lock. Once
inserted, the floating lock
retracts towards its original position under a resilient force, such as two
springs in tandem, or
other complementary resilient mechanism keeping the floating lock under
retraction tension
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when moved from its initial position_ The filter key and floating lock
combination allows for the
identification of specific filter models and may be configured to reject all
but specific filter types.
Removal of the filter cartridge is performed in the same manner. An axial
insertion force causes
the floating lock to move radially, which allows the filter key to be removed
from the floating
lock_ An extraction force provided by spring tension, or the like, helps push
the filter cartridge
out of its base. Fluid shutoff and locking mechanisms are initiated by the
axial force on the filter
cartridge at the commencement of the filter changing procedure.
The present invention is described below in reference to its application in
connection with, and
operation of, a water treatment system. However, it should be apparent to
those having ordinary
skill in the art that the invention may be applicable to any device having a
need for filtering
liquid.
FIG. lA is a top exploded view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of the
present invention.
The filter assembly is fixably secured in a position within an operating
environment requiring
fluid filtration, such as attached to an internal sidewall of a refrigerator,
although certainly other
operating environments may be envisioned, and the filter assembly may be used
in any number
of environments where the filter assembly has access to, and can be placed in
fluid
communication with, influent and effluent fluid access ports. For illustrative
purposes only,
application to the filtering of water being piped into a refrigerator is
discussed.
A filter housing assembly 200 comprises the removable, detachable filter
cartridge or sump of
the filter assembly from a filter base 100. Filter housing assembly 200
includes a filter housing 1,
which encloses filter media 8, a filter head 2 that attaches at one end to
filter housing 1, and
attaches at the other end to a filter manifold 3 and non-floating port 11. A
connector piece or
filter key 5 is attached to filter manifold 3. Filter base 100 includes non-
floating port 11 having a
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base platform 1104, locking member or floating lock 12, and rear plate 13.
Filter head 2 secures
in a water-tight fit to filter housing 1. The attachment scheme may be made by
a water-tight
screw fit, bond, weld, or other water-tight fastening mechanism commonly used
in the art for
sealing adjoining components, typically adjoining plastic components. As
discussed in further
detail below, filter key 5 is connected to filter manifold I Filter key 5 may
be formed as one
piece with filter manifold 3, or may be securely attached by other methods,
such as bonding,
welding, press fit, friction fit, or the like_ Filter key 5 may also be
removably attached for
replacement by an end user. Filter manifold 3 is attached to filter head 2.
Filter media 8 is located
in filter housing 1. Each end of filter media 8 is secured by a cap that
facilitates the direction of
the fluid being treated by the filter. At one end, filter media 8 is secured
by a closed end cap 7,
and at the other end by open end cap 6. Filter media 8 may be any filter media
known in the art,
and preferably, is a carbon block filter. It is typically shaped in a similar
fashion as filter housing
1, which in an embodiment is cylindrical. Open end cap 6 is designed to
interface and be in fluid
communication with filter head 2.
In another embodiment, filter housing 1 may include strengthening ribs 16
longitudinally located
on the filter housing outer surface.FIG. 1C depicts a perspective view of
filter housing assembly
200 with a row of strengthening ribs extending at least partially down the
outer surface of filter
housing 1.. Strengthening ribs 16 also function as a guide for inserting
filter housing assembly
200 into a shroud (not shown) that may be part of the installation assembly
for ensuring proper
alignment with filter base 100, Strengthening ribs 16 are preferably integral
with filter housing 1,
but may also be attachable as a separate component part. Ribs 16 may extend
the full length of
filter housing 1, or as shown, may extend to an intermediate point between
filter housing
assembly 200 end caps 6, 7.
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Filter housing assembly 200 is a finished assembly including filter housing 1,
which
encompasses filter media 8 by closed end cap 7 at one end, and open end cap 6
at the other.
Generally, o-ring seals, such as o-ring seal 9, are used to prevent water
leakage where different
components are expected to mate. Filter manifold 3 and filter key 5 are joined
with filter head 2,
and secured to filter housing 1 to form the assembled filter housing apparatus
200_ These
components may be integral, permanently secured, or removably attached to one
another, and to
filter head 2. FIG. 1B is a side plan view of an embodiment of the filter
assembly of the present
invention.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of connector piece or filter key 5,
FIG. 2B is a lateral side view of filter key 5. As previously noted, the
bottom of filter key 5 is
attached to filter manifold 3 by any number of fastening schemes, or may be
integrally formed
with filter manifold 3.
FIG. 2C depicts a groove 51 that is preferably shaped to receive a
complementary protrusion on
filter manifold 3, and is preferably shaped to receive a dovetail protrusion;
however, other
connecting, complementary shapes are not excluded,
For example, FIG. 2G depicts a slotted groove 5 lb that is not a dovetail
joint. Slotted groove 51b
may include a wider upper portion 51c to more securely affix filter key 5 to
filter manifold 3.
The connection of filter key 5 with filter manifold 3 may be bonded, sonic
welded, press fitted,
friction fitted, or the like. Moreover, filter key 5 may be integral with
filter manifold 3. Similarly,
filter manifold 3 may be bonded, sonic welded, press fitted, friction fitted,
or integral with the
filter housing top portion. As depicted in the illustrative embodiment, groove
51 is shaped to
accept a snap feature for a press or snap fit located on filter manifold 3. In
this manner filter key
5 may be removably attached to filter manifold 3. Similarly, filter manifold 3
may be designed to
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be removably attached to filter head 2. Thus, the design has more flexibility
to introduce and
accommodate different key configurations, which can be used to designate
specific filter types,
and purposely reject other filter types. Additionally, filter key 5 may
include an angled, ramp
segment 59a on at least its bottom edges where filter key 5 slidably mates
with the top surface of
5 filter manifold 3 or filter head 400.
FIG. 2H is a side view of filter key 5 depicting angled ramp segment 59a,
which at least partially
extends the length of the bottom surface of filter key 5. Angled ramp 59a is
located at one end of
the bottom edges of filter key 5 and extends into the filter key main body 5a.
FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of filter head 400 with complementary
angled ramp segments
10 59b for mating with angled ramp segments 59a of filter key 5. Angled
ramp segment 59amatably
adjoins complementary angled ramp segment 59bto interlock and assist in
securing filter key 5 to
filter head 400. For the two piece design utilizing filter manifold 3,
complementary angled ramp
segments 59b are formed on the top surface of filter manifold 3.
FIG. 2J depicts a side view of a partial section of filter head 400 showing
mating protrusion or
15 rail 321 for interlocking with slotted groove 51b, and complementary
angled ramp segments 59b.
FIG. 4A depicts a perspective view of the one embodiment of filter manifold
300. Port 310 is
shown off center of filter manifold 300. FIG. 4A depicts the filter manifold
without extension
support members. Preferably, port 310 is an outlet port; however, the present
invention is not
limited to a specific ingress and egress location, and may have these ports
interchanged. When
20 port 310 is used as an egress or outlet port, filter manifold 300 takes
fluid from filter media 8
through the center port of open cap 6, and directs fluid flow radially
outwards from the axial
center to port 310. In this embodiment, the ingress port is located on filter
head 2. By locating
the ingress and egress ports off axis, filter housing assembly 200 has a more
robust design, with
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enhanced structural integrity for mounting to the filter base, and for
remaining fixably in place
during attachment.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, in a preferred attachment scheme for filter key 5, a
protrusion or rail
32 or 320 is formed on or near the center line of filter manifold 3 or 300.
Protrusion or rail 32 or
320 is preferably a rectangular shaped segment extending above circular center
portion 33 or
330. Protrusion or rail 32 allows for precise alignment of filter key 5, while
providing a robust
connection. Preferably, a dovetail shape, press fit, or friction fit
interconnection between
protrusion 32 and groove 51 of filter key 5 permits the user to remove and
replace filter key 5.
This allows for the designation of specific filter keys, and correspondingly,
specific filter
cartridges. Protrusion or rail 32, 320 may be integrally formed with filter
manifold 3 or 300,
respectively, and filter manifold 3 may be integrally formed with the filter
housing top portion.
Or these components may be separately fabricated and attached by bond, weld,
press fit, friction
fit, or other suitable means known in the art. Preferably, protrusion or rail
32, 320 has a dovetail
shaped surface for slidably mating with complementary groove 51 of filter key
5.
In the embodiment depicted by FIGS. 4B and 4C, protrusion 32 may be on an
extension support
34. FIG_ 4B depicts a top level view of filter manifold 3, showing extension
support 34
extending longitudinally or radially outward from center portion 33, along a
radius. Extension
support 34 supports optional shroud 4 that covers and protects filter head 2.
Filter manifold 3 or
300 seats within and attaches to filter head 2.
FIG. 5A depicts a side view of one embodiment of filter head 2. Filter head 2
is shown with off-
center port 21. In this manner, port 21 of filter head 2 and port 31 of filter
manifold 3 are both
off-center and parallel to one another about a plane that approximately
intersects the center point
of filter head 2. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, a recessed portion 22 formed
about the center
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point of filter head 2 receives center portion 33 of filter manifold 3, If
extension support 34 is
used with filter manifold 3, when filter manifold 3 is inserted within filter
head 2, extension
support 34 is situated approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by
ports 21 and 31.
Extension support 34 provides at each end a snap fit design for shroud 4.
FIG_ 5B is a bottom perspective view of the filter head_
FIG. 5C is a top perspective view of filter head 2 depicting recess portion
22.
Filter head 210 depicts another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5D-5F. In this
embodiment, as
depicted in the top perspective view of FIG. 5F, on the top surface of filter
head 210 is a curved
receiving boss or support member 230 located on one side of the center point,
and two parallel,
lateral support members 240a,b located opposite curved boss 230 on the other
side of the center
point of filter head 210. These structural support members are used to align
filter key 5 to filter
head 210, and help secure filter key 5. This filter head may be used in
conjunction with the filter
manifold 300 without extension supports, as depicted in FIG. 4A. Structural
support member 230
provides a physical stop for filter key 5, which typically slides on
protrusion 32 provided by
filter manifold 300. Lateral support members 240a,b are used to align filter
key 5, and prevent it
from inadvertent shifting. FIG. 5E is a bottom perspective view of filter head
210. FIG. 5D is a
side view of filter head 210.
In another embodiment, filter head 2,210 may be integral with filter manifold
3, 310, such as for
example, a one piece construction in the form of a single injected molded
piece, or a two piece
construction with filter manifold 3, 310 welded, fused, or otherwise
permanently attached to
filter head 2, 210 as a subassembly.
FIG. 5G depicts a one-piece or integrated filter head filter manifold
construction 400 having
ingress and egress ports 410a,b. Protrusion 420 is preferably a shaped segment
extending above,
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and off axis from, the circular center of filter head 400. Protrusion 420
allows for precise
alignment of filter key 5, while providing a robust connection. A dovetail
shape, press fit, or
friction fit interconnection between protrusion 420 and groove 51 of filter
key 5 permits the user
to remove and replace filter key 5.
FIG_ 5H is a side view of integrated, one-piece filter head 400_Cylindrical
wall 424 is sized to
receive the open end cap 6 of filter housing 1. Cylindrical wall 426 is off
the axial center of filter
head 400 and is configured to receive the center axial port of end cap 6,
redirecting fluid flow off
the axial center such that port 410b is within cylinder 426, and port 410a is
outside of cylinder
426. This redirection of fluid flow performs a similar function as filter
manifold 3, 310 without
the need of aligning the center axial port of end cap 6 with a filter manifold
aperture.
FIG. 51 is a bottom view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of FIG. 56,
depicting off axial
center cylinder 426 for receiving a port of open end cap 6 of the filter
cartridge. A comparison to
FIGS. 5B and 5E which depict perspective views of the underside of filter head
2, 210
respectively, with FIG. 51, demonstrates the absence of an axially centered
cylinder for receiving
the port from open end cap 6 in the integrated filter head 400 design.
Filter manifold 300 includes an off-center port 310, as well as a center
portion 330 that fits
securely within recess 220 of filter head 210. Protrusion 320 receives the
groove from filter key
5. In this embodiment, when filter key 5 is slidably inserted within
protrusion 320, structural
support member 230 and lateral structural support members 240a,b secure filter
key 5. The
curved portion of structural support member 230 forces filter key 5 to be
inserted in one direction
only. An added boss 232, located on the top of filter head 210 and centered
between lateral
support members 240a,b may be employed to serve as a lock or snap fit for
filter key 5.
Additionally, in another embodiment, structural support member 230 may be
formed with a
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small aperture 235 located directly away from the center point of filter head
210 at its base where
support member 230 meets the top portion of filter head 210. This small
aperture 235 is designed
to receive a protruding material or locking nub or tab 53 placed at, or formed
with, the
corresponding end portion of filter key 5 on the lower end of a lateral side.
Locking nub or tab 53
on filter key 5 is inserted within small aperture 235 on the curved portion of
structural support
member 230 and prevents axial removal of filter key 5 away from filter head
210. FIGS. 2A-2F
show locking nub 53 located on the bottom portion of a lateral side of filter
key 5. FIG. 5D is a
side view of filter head 210 depicting aperture 235 for receiving filter key
5.
Filter key 5 includes at least one attachment member, such as laterally
extending finger 52, and
preferably a plurality of extending fingers, as depicted in FIGS. 2A-2F. FIG.
2C is a bottom
perspective view of filter key 5. In a first illustrative embodiment, filter
key 5 is shown with ten
laterally extending fingers 52. Fingers 52 are preferably constructed of the
same material as, and
integrally formed with, base 55 of filter key 5. However, the fingers may also
be removably
attached, and the filter key design is not limited to an integrally formed
construction. The
laterally extending fingers 52 may form a number of different configurations.
In the illustrative
embodiment, there is a uniform gap 54 between each finger 52. In other
configurations, a finger
may be missing on one or both sides of filter key 5, and gap 54 may be wider
in some places than
in others. Using a digital 1, 0 designations to indicate a finger (1) or a gap
(0), it is possible to
have many different configurations for a filter key. The configuration as
shown in FIG. 2E would
be designated on each side as 101010101. As a separate example, for a
designation of
100010101, this would represent a lateral finger (1) followed by a wide gap
(000), and then a
finger (1) followed by a gap (0) and a finger (1) followed by another gap (0),
and one last finger
(1). The present invention is not limited to any particular finger/gap order.
Additionally, it is not
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necessary for the finger/gap configuration on one side of filter key 5 to be
symmetric with the
finger/gap configuration on the opposite side. By having different finger/gap
configurations, it is
possible to make a mechanical key identifier for the specific filter housing
assembly being
employed. Filter key 5 may also be color-coded to facilitate identification
for different filter
5 cartridges or housing assemblies. It may also be textured, mirrored,
transparent, translucent,
materially modified, or having a conductively signature, or any combination
thereof, for
identification purposes. More importantly, aside from identification of the
filter housing
assembly, a particular filter key finger/gap configuration will only allow for
the use of a specific
filter housing assembly in a given system,
10 Fingers 52 of filter key 5 are strength bearing attachment members,
used to mate with, or
interlock with, corresponding protrusions or drive keys 123a,b located on
longitudinal sides of
locking member or floating lock 12 as depicted in FIG. 3. There must be at
least one protrusion
or drive key on floating lock 12 that corresponds to, and lines up with, at
least one finger or
attachment member on filter key 5, so that when filter key 5 is inserted to
mate with floating lock
15 12, the drive keys slidably contact the fingers and floating lock 12
is shifted longitudinally an
incremental amount to allow fingers 52 on filter key 5 to traverse between the
gaps 122 on
floating lock 12. Once fingers 52 have passed between the corresponding gaps
on floating lock
12, which is slidably restrained under tensional forces, floating lock 12 is
partially returned
towards its original position by the tensional retraction forces so that at
least one extended finger
20 on filter key 5 aligns or interlocks with at least one protrusion or
drive key on floating lock 12,
and the alignment resists any direct outward, axial extraction forces.
Each attachment member or finger 52 of filter key 5 includes a slanted face 58
as depicted in
FIGS. 2A and 2F. These angled features are made to slidably contact
complementary slanted
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edge or angled features 121a,b of drive keys 123a,b of floating lock 12 shown
in FIGS. 3A and
3E. During insertion of filter key 5, the sliding contact of the angled
feature of the filter key's
fingers transversely shifts floating lock 12 off of its initial position, and
allows the fingers of
filter key 5 to be inserted within gaps 122 between the drive keys 123a,b.
A perspective view of locking member or floating lock 12 is depicted in FIGS_
3A and 3B.
Floating lock 12 has angled-faced fingers, protrusions, or drive keys 123a,b
and gaps 122 that
may reciprocally correspond to fingers 52 and gaps 54 located on filter key 5.
It is not necessary
for the drive key/gap configuration of floating lock 12 to be exactly
complementary to the
finger/gap configuration of filter key 5. It is only necessary that floating
lock 12 is able to fully
receive the inserting filter key 5 when filter housing assembly 200 is axially
inserted into filter
base 100. Each protrusion or drive key 123a,b of floating lock 12 is shaped
with a receiving
wedge 129a,b, respectively, opposite slanted portion or edge 121a,b to capture
fingers 52 of filter
key 5. Fingers 52 may have a cross-sectional diamond shape to facilitate the
capture by the drive
key receiving wedge 129a,b. Drive keys 123a,b are placed on at least one
longitudinal side of
floating lock 12, as depicted in FIGS. 3D and 3E. Underneath and centered
between drive keys
123a,b is a row of position stops 125 forming a track structure extending
longitudinally along
floating lock 12. Position stops 125 preclude fingers 52 from extending any
further during
insertion. There need not be a position stop 125 for each drive key 123a,b,
provided there is at
least one position stop 125 to prohibit over insertion of filter key 5.
Position stops 125 also
include a slanted or angled face 126 for slidable contact with slanted face 58
of fingers 52 on
filter key 5. Position stops 125 are shown as a row of jagged edges, but do
not have to
correspond one-for-one with drive keys 123a,b.
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Upon insertion, when attachment members or extended fingers 52 of filter key 5
contact drive
keys 123a,b, floating lock 12 shifts away from its initial position, against
retraction forces, and
moves according to the contacting angled edges 58 and 121. Once wings 56a,b of
fingers 52
clear lip 127a,b of drive keys 123a,b, floating lock 12 is not prohibited from
reacting to the
retraction forces, and moves slightly back, towards its original position
where diamond shaped
wings 56a,b are then trapped by receiving wedges 129a,b. This position locks
filter key 5 to
floating lock 12 resisting any a direct axial extraction force.
There is a gap or space 124 between the bottom most portion of drive key
123a,b and top most
portion of position stop 125. Upon extraction, when wings 56a,b of fingers 52
are pushed within
this gap or space, there is no structure preventing floating lock 12 from
responding to the
tensional retraction forces acting on it. Thus, floating lock 12 is free to
respond to the retraction
forces, and will tend to move towards its initial position. This will align
fingers 52 of filter key 5
within gaps 122 of floating lock 12 and allow for easy extraction of filter
housing 200.
In order to extract filter housing assembly 200, a user again pushes axially
inwards on the filter
housing assembly, which releases wings 56a,b on filter key 5 from drive keys
123a,b. This frees
floating lock 12 to return to towards its original position, and locates
fingers 52 on filter key 5 at
gaps 122 of floating lock 12. Filter housing assembly 200 can now be freely
extracted from filter
base 100. Resilient members 1110 within shut-off stanchions 1101a,b of non-
floating port 11
assist in pushing or extracting filter housing assembly 200 away from filter
base 100.
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of non-floating port 11, which works in tandem
with rear plate 13
or rear plate 1300 to hold floating or sliding lock 12 in place while allowing
it to freely move
longitudinally off its center position and back to its center position during
the insertion and
extraction of filter housing assembly 200. As discussed further herein, the
base platform 1104 of
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non-floating port 11 will also hold locking members such as floating lock 1200
and floating lock
1212 of FIG. 8. For simplicity, reference is made chiefly to the interaction
of non-floating port
11 with floating lock 12, although the applicability of non-floating port 11
includes usage with
floating lock 1200 and 1212 as well. Non-floating port base platform 1104
includes a protruding
encasement 1102, larger than floating lock 12, and made to enclose floating
lock 12 therein.
Encasement 1102 prevents over-travel of floating lock 12, and protects it when
installed from
extraneous, unintended movement.
FIG. 9B is a top plan view of non-floating port 11. Stanchions 1101a,b are
located on opposite
sides of encasement 1102 and extend through base platform 1104. Each
ingress/egress stanchion
1101a,b has an upper stanchion portion extending perpendicularly upwards with
respect to a top
surface of base platform 1104 in an axial direction and a lower stanchion
portion extending
downwards with respect to base platform 1104 in the axial direction. Ports
1103 represent the
ingress and egress ports for the fluid and extend perpendicularly to
stanchions 1101a,b. Shut-off
stanchions 1101a,b include shutoff plugs 14, which act as valve seals to stop
fluid flow when the
filter cartridge is being removed. Shut-off stanchions 1101a,b are preferably
cylindrical in shape,
containing spring activated, 0-ring sealed plugs for sealing the ingress and
egress lines during
filter cartridge removal. In an embodiment, rear plate 13 is snap fitted into
non-floating port 11.
In order to accommodate this, snap fittings 1105 are shown on non-floating
port 11 that receive a
corresponding fitting 135 on rear plate 13. Referring to FIG. 1, floating lock
12 is supported by
non-floating port 11 and rear plate 13.
FIG. 10A is a top plan view of one embodiment of rear plate 13 of the present
invention.
FIG. 10B depicts a bottom perspective view of rear plate 13. Rear plate 13
secures locking
member or floating lock 12 within a support structure in non-floating port 11.
Rear plate 13 is
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preferably attached by snap fit to non-floating port 11, although other
attachment schemes
known in the art may be easily employed, such as bonding, welding, and
assorted mechanical
fasteners. Rear plate 13 is formed with extensions 132 on each end, and shaped
gaps 133
therebetween. Gaps 133 are shaped to go around shut-off stanchions 1101a,b of
non-floating port
11. In this embodiment, rear plate 13 includes a center aperture 131 that
allows for longitudinal
movement of floating lock 12. Floating lock 12 may include an extension member
opposite the
face configured with fingers and gaps, in order to permit resilient
components, such as helical or
torsion springs to act upon it. FIGS. 3C and 3E are side views of the floating
lock showing
extension member 128, FIG, 3B is a perspective view of the floating lock 12
with extension
member 128. FIG. 8E depicts floating lock 1212 with extension member 1280. In
these
embodiments, the extension member is acted upon by resilient devices held by
the rear plate.
FIG. 10C is a top plan view of another embodiment of the rear plate 1300 of
the present
invention. In this embodiment, the topside of rear plate 1300 includes a
domed, slotted cover
1302 over the center aperture. Cover 1302 is formed to encase springs or other
resilient members
about the extension member 128 extending from floating lock 12. Dome 1302
includes a slot
1304 that is made to receive the extension member 128 from floating lock 12.
Slot 1304 helps
retain linear movement of floating lock 12 inside dome 1302. In this
embodiment, two
complementary resilient members, such as springs, would reside on each side of
the extension
member 128 of floating lock 12. One resilient member preferably applies force
on the floating
lock extension member in one direction, while the other resilient member
applies force to the
floating lock extension member in the opposite direction. In this manner, no
matter which way
floating lock 12 is moved or shifted, a retraction force presents itself to
return floating lock 12 to
its original, centered position.
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At all times during insertion, the filter housing assembly is under extraction
forces that tend to
push the housing out of the filter base. These extraction forces result from
resilient members in
each shut-off stanchion 1101a,b of non-floating port 11 (shown in FIG. 9B)
that force shutoff
plugs 14 into position in order to block the ingress and egress ports.
Preferably, the extraction
5 forces on shutoff plugs 14 are provided by a spring 1110 in each port,
although other resilient
members may be used to provide a similar result. Inserting the filter housing
assembly into the
filter base works against these extraction forces, and pushes shutoff plugs 14
further up each
shut-off stanchion 1101a,b of non-floating port 11. This allows for fluid
ingress, while keeping
the filter housing assembly under the constant extraction force.
10 Protective port shroud 4 may be placed over filter head 2, to protect
the floating lock 12 and
filter key 5 mechanism from damage and debris. Shroud 4 is preferably
supported by the
extension supports on the filter manifold.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are exploded views of another embodiment of the filter
assembly of the present
invention, showing the combination of filter manifold 300, filter key 500, and
filter head 210.
15 Filter key 500 is depicted without a locking nub or tab; however it may
include a locking nub to
facilitate attachment to the filter head. FIG. 7F depicts filter key 590 with
locking nub or tab 501.
Locking nub 501 is located at the base of filter key 590. hi this embodiment,
filter key 500 or
590 and filter manifold 300 are modified such that locking member or floating
lock 1200 or 1212
of FIG. 8 is slidably shifted by the interaction wings 560a,b of an extended
boss 550 on filter key
20 500 or 590 with drive keys 1210a,b of floating lock 1200.
Filter key 500 or 590 is inserted within floating lock 1200 through the axial
insertion of the filter
housing assembly into the filter base. Hammerhead shaped wings 560a,b on
fingers 520 of filter
key 500 and drive keys 1210a,b on floating lock 1200 or 1212 slidably contact
one another,
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causing a transverse motion of floating lock 1200 or 1212 perpendicular to the
axial motion of
insertion. In this manner, floating lock 1200 or 1212 is shifted
longitudinally, in a direction
radially relative to the filter housing assembly axis. Attachment members or
fingers 520 of filter
key 500 are positioned within the gaps 1220 on floating lock 1200 or 1212.
Once filter key 500
or 590 is inserted, floating lock 1200 or 1212 is returned partially towards
its original position by
retracting tensional forces, preferably by complementary spring forces, so
that the fingers on
floating lock 1200 or 1212 align directly with fingers 520 on filter key 500
or 590, thus
preventing a direct extraction force from removing the filter housing assembly
from the filter
base.
FIG. 7F depicts a top perspective view of filter key 590. At one end of filter
key 590 is an
upwardly extended angled boss 550. Boss 550 rises above horizontal plane 570
created by the
top portion of fingers 520, and is angled toward fingers 520, with its highest
point at one end of
filter key 500. Boss 550 angles downward from its highest point towards
fingers 520. Preferably,
boss 550 is an upwardly facing triangular or wedge shaped design having wings
560a,b for
interaction with drive keys 1210a,b, respectively, on floating lock 1200.
FIG. 7E depicts an end view of filter key 500 showing a hammerhead shaped boss
550 rising
above plane 570 created by fingers 520, and wings 560a,b extending laterally
from boss 550
resembling what may be considered a hammerhead shape. The purpose of wings
560a,b is to
contact corresponding angled drive keys 1210a,b on floating lock 1200.
A perspective view of the complementary locking member or floating lock 1200
is depicted in
FIG. 8A, The only difference between floating lock 1200 of FIG. 8A and
floating lock 1212 of
FIG. SE is the addition of an extension member 1280 on floating lock 1212.
Floating lock 1200
has fingers 1230a,b and gaps 1220 that may reciprocally correspond to fingers
520 and gaps 540
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located on filter key 500 or 590. It is not necessary for the finger/gap
configuration of floating
lock 1200 to be exactly complementary to the finger/gap configuration of
filter key 500 or 590. It
is only necessary that floating lock 1200 is able to fully receive the
inserting filter key 500 when
the filter housing assembly is axially inserted into the filter base.
Furthermore, once floating lock
1200 is subjected to retraction forces acting to return it partially towards
its original position, it is
necessary that at least one attachment member or finger on filter key 500 or
590 vertically align
with at least one finger on floating lock 1200 or 1212 preventing any
extraction without further
shifting of floating lock 1200 or 1212.
Using floating lock 1200 and filter key 500 as illustrative examples, upon
slidable contact of
wings 560a,b on filter key 500 and protrusions or drive keys 1210a,b on
floating lock 1200,
floating lock 1200 moves in a transverse motion, perpendicular to the axial
motion of insertion.
In this manner, floating lock 1200 is shifted longitudinally, in a direction
radially relative to the
filter housing assembly axis. Fingers 520 of filter key 500 are positioned
within the gaps 1220 on
floating lock 1200. Once filter key 500 is inserted, floating lock 1200 is
returned partially
towards its original position by retracting tensional forces, preferably by
complementary spring
forces, so that the fingers on floating lock 1200 align directly with fingers
520 on filter key 500,
thus preventing a direct extraction force from removing the filter housing
assembly from the
filter base.
Extended fingers 1230a,b are preferably constructed of the same material as
floating lock 1200
and integrally formed therewith. However, fingers 1230 may also be removably
attached, and the
floating lock design is not limited to an integrally formed construction.
Additionally, the present
invention is not limited to any particular finger/gap order. It is not
necessary for the finger/gap
configuration on one side of floating lock 1200 to be symmetric with the
finger/gap
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configuration on the opposite side. Floating lock 1200 is responsive to
tensional forces, such as
complementary springs acting on it from two separate directions to provide
resistance
longitudinally. Floating lock 1200 effectively moves longitudinally when acted
upon by filter
key 500, and is forced to return partially towards its original position after
fingers 520 of filter
key 500 have traversed through gaps 1220. Upon partial retraction, fingers 520
are aligned
behind or underneath fingers 1230 of floating lock 1200. FIG. 8B is a top view
of floating lock
1200 showing laterally extending fingers 1230a,b and adjacent gaps 1220
between the fingers.
FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of locking member or floating lock 1200,
depicting protrusion
or drive key 1210a, which is located at one end of floating lock 1200 on
longitudinal or side
panel 1240. Drive key 1210a is opposite a similar drive key 1210b (not shown),
which is located
on the opposite longitudinal panel of floating lock 1200. Both drive keys are
designed to have an
angled face for slidably interacting with wings 560a,b of boss 550 on filter
key 500. Each drive
key is preferably integrally fabricated with floating lock 1200; however, the
drive keys may be
fabricated separately and attached to the longitudinal panels of floating lock
1200 by attachment
means known in the art. As shown in FIG. 8C, below drive key 1210a is a
position key or
physical stop 1250, preferably formed with the supporting lateral wall 1260 of
floating lock
1200. As shown in FIG. 8B, position key 1250 is situated between drive keys
1210a,b. Position
key 1250 may be integrally formed with lateral wall 1260, or may be separately
attached thereto
by any acceptable means in the prior art, such as bonding, welding, gluing,
press fitting, and the
like. Position key 1250 acts as a physical stop to ensure against over travel
of floating lock 1200,
Position key 1250 is situated below drive keys 1210a,b by a distance designed
to accommodate
the insertion of boss 550 of filter key 500. Upon insertion of filter key 500
into floating lock
1200, boss 550 traverses through gap 1270 in floating lock 1200 formed by the
space between
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drive keys 1210a,b. Wings 560a,b of boss 550 extend outward relative to the
width of boss 550,
traversing between lateral wall 1260 and drive keys 1210a,b. In this manner,
wings 560a,b retain
floating lock 1200 from retracting back to its original position while boss
550 is being inserted.
At all times, floating lock 1200 is under the retraction force of resilient
members, such as tandem
springs, or the like, tending to keep floating lock 1200 its original
position, which is preferably a
centered position. During insertion of filter key 500, wings 560a,b interact
with drive keys
1210a,b to shift floating lock 1200 longitudinally off-center while under the
resilient retraction
forces. Upon full insertion, when boss 550 reaches and contacts position key
1250, wings 560a,b
are no longer held by drive keys 1210a,b because the length of drive keys
1210a,b is shorter than
the length of boss 550. At this point in the insertion process, the tensional
retraction forces shift
floating lock 1200 towards its original position.
Once wings 560a,b reach position key 1250, and the user releases the insertion
force initially
applied on the filter housing assembly, the extraction forces from shutoff
plug springs 1110
dominate. These forces push the filter housing assembly axially outwards, away
from floating
lock 1200. Since wings 560a,b are no longer bound between drive keys 1210a,b
and lateral wall
1260, floating lock 1200 will tend to shift longitudinally, partially towards
its original position as
filter key 500 moves slightly axially outwards. At this point, wings 560a,b
interact with edge
angles 1280a,b to push away from the center position, shifting filter key 500,
and combining or
contacting with face 1300a,b to keep the filter housing from retracting, FIG,
8D depicts an
exploded view of drive key 1210a with edge angle 1290a and face 1300a.
Fingers 520 of filter key 500 are now aligned with fingers 1230 of floating
lock 1200 and remain
in contact in a vertical plane in the axial direction, prohibiting extraction
of the filter housing
assembly from the filter base.
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FIGS._ 12A-12E present yet another embodiment of a filter housing assembly
600, having a
housing 610 with a substantially cylindrical body 612 and a top portion 614
for forming a fluid-
tight seal with the body. The top portion 614 is depicted as substantially
dome-shaped to
facilitate the filter housing assembly as a pressurized vessel; however, it
may be a flat surface if
5 design constraints require_ The cylindrical body 612 and housing top portion
614 share a
longitudinal axial center line 616_ A protrusion 618 extends in the axial
direction upwards from
top portion 614, and outwards in a radial direction about the axial center
616. Dimensionally,
the protrusion 618 extends upwards approximately 0.15-0.35 inches - and
preferably 0.24
inches - from the top surface of the housing top portion 614. Housing 610 may
hold a filter
10 media therein for the filtration of fluids, may act as a sump, or may
act as a bypass filter
cartridge having no filtration media. Housing 610 is further adapted to
receive a connection
assembly 665 which consists of an electronic circuit component 660 and a
housing 662 for
receiving said electronic circuit component therein. Electronic circuit
component 660 is
exemplified in FIGS. 12-13 and in the below description as a printed circuit
board 660, but
15 other electronic circuit components may be used with the filter
housing assembly of the present
invention, including but not limited to: microcontrollers, microprocessors,
microchips (such as
erasable programmable read-only memories ("EPROMs"), or any other type of
analog, digital,
or mixed signal integrated circuit ("IC") technology.
Filter housing 600 may include at least one strengthening rib 613
longitudinally located on the
20 filter housing outer surface. Strengthening rib(s) 613 may function as
a guide for inserting filter
housing assembly 600 into a shroud (not shown) that may be part of the
installation assembly
for ensuring proper alignment with the filter base. Strengthening rib 613 is
preferably integral
with filter housing 600, but may also be attachable as a separate component
part. As shown in
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Fig. 12A, for example, rib 613 extends along the length of cylindrical body
612, parallel to axial
center line 616.
As shown in FIGS. 12A-12E, an ingress port 620 is demarcated into three
distinct segments: a
first or top segment 622, a second or middle segment 623, and a third or
bottom segment 624.
The third or bottom segment 624 extends vertically upwards in a longitudinally
axial direction
from the surface of housing top portion 614 substantially parallel to the
axial center line 616.
The ingress port bottom segment 624 is distinguished from middle segment 623
by seal 628.
The ingress port top segment 622 extends from the ingress port middle segment
623 upwards to
the topmost surface of the port, and is distinguished from middle segment 623
by seal 627,
Seals 627 and 628 prohibit fluid exiting ingress port middle segment's
aperture or cavity 640a
from contacting the outer surface of the ingress port top and bottom segments
622, 624,
respectively, once the ingress port is inserted within a receiving filter base
stanchion. Seals 627
and 628 provide a circumferential press-fit or sealing force against the inner
cylindrical wall of
the stanchions of the filter base (not shown). Seals 627,628 are held in place
on the ingress port
typically by insertion into a groove within the ingress port cylindrical outer
surface, such that a
diameter D1 of the outermost seal radial extension is slightly greater than
the inner wall
diameter of the receiving stanchion, allowing the resilient, compressible
seals to be compressed
by the inner wall of the receiving stanchion upon insertion, forming a fluid-
tight fit.
In at least one embodiment, ingress port middle segment 623 has a varying
diameter D2
unequal to, and less than D1, such that the ingress port middle segment 623 is
formed having an
outer surface contour to allow for fluid to flow around the middle segment 623
after the ingress
port 620 is inserted into its respective stanchion. Ingress fluid from a
filter base stanchion fluid
port is contained by and between seals 627, 628 and the circumferential
stanchion inner wall.
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The fluid traverses around the ingress port middle segment and enters the
ingress port middle
segment aperture or cavity 640a. In this manner, the filter base stanchion
fluid port may he
located on the opposite side of the middle segment ingress port cavity, that
is, facing the middle
segment outside wall, one hundred eighty degrees away from the ingress port
cavity.
In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 12, the outer surface contour of ingress
middle segment 623
is depicted in the form of an hourglass shape having a smaller diameter at its
center than at
either the topmost or bottommost points of the middle segment closest to the
seals 627, 628.
The ingress port middle segment's body may be formed of other shapes as well,
such as a
smaller cylindrical shape having a diameter less than DI, a rectangular or
triangular segment, or
cone-shaped architecture, wherein the middle segment 623 has at least one area
where its
measured width or diameter is less than diameter DI, providing an annular
space for fluid to
flow around the middle segment structure to allow fluid, exiting the filter
base input port into
the stanchion to enter the ingress port middle segment's aperture or cavity
640a.
In at least one embodiment, ingress port 620 is substantially cylindrical at
its top and bottom
segments to correspond to the cylindrical cavity of its respective receiving
stanchion. The
measurements of the outermost surface contour of ingress port 620 at the seals
627, 628 /
stanchion inner wall interface, which is identified by diameter D1, may be
between 0.25-0.45
inches - and optionally 0.36 inches - while the ingress middle segment
diameter D2 of ingress
port 620 may be between 0,2-0,4 inches, and optionally 0.28 inches,The middle
segment
diameter D2 is less than diameter DI and the diameter of the receiving
stanchion to achieve
fluid flow about and around the ingress port middle segment from the exit port
of the stanchion
on one side to the input aperture 640a of the middle segment to the other
side. A fluid seal is
still maintained during such instances of fluid flow, such that fluid is
prohibited from contacting
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the outer surface of the ingress port top or bottom segments. This allows for
the outer surface
contour of ingress middle segment 623 to be less than, and within, the
compressed sealing
diameter D1 at the filter base's stanchion inner wall. Fluid is allowed to
flow around the ingress
middle segment, contained by the seals, and prohibited from flowing outside
the middle
segment.
An egress port 630 similarly having a substantially cylindrical body 631 with
a first or top
segment 632, a second or middle segment 633, and a third or bottom segment
634, extends
vertically upwards in a longitudinally axial direction from the top surface of
housing top portion
614 substantially parallel to top portion axial center 616. The egress port
top segment 632
extends from its topmost point downwards to the egress port middle segment
633, and is
distinguished from middle segment 633 by a seal 638. The egress port bottom
segment 634
extends from housing top portion 614 upwards to the egress port middle segment
633, and is
distinguished from middle segment 633 by seal 637. Seals 637, 638 prohibit
fluid exiting the
egress port middle segment 633 aperture or cavity 640b from contacting the
outside surface of
egress port top and bottom segments 632, 634, respectively. Seals 637, 638
provide a
circumferential press-fit or sealing force against the inner cylindrical wall
of the receiving
stanchion of the filter base (not shown). Seals 637, 638 are held in place on
the egress port
typically by insertion within a groove on the egress port outer wall surface,
such that a diameter
D3 of the outermost seal radial extension is slightly greater than the inner
wall diameter of the
receiving stanchion allowing the resilient, compressible seals to be
compressed by the inner
wall of the receiving stanchion upon insertion, forming a fluid-tight fit. In
a similar fashion as
the ingress port, the egress port middle segment 633 may be formed in other
shapes that allow
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fluid to flow around the middle segment when the middle segment is placed
within the
receiving filter base stanchion.
In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 12, the outer surface contour of egress
middle segment 633
is depicted in the form of an hourglass shape having a smaller diameter D4 at
its center than at
either the topmost or bottommost points of the middle segment closest the
seals 637, 638. The
egress port middle segment's body may be formed of other shapes as well, such
as a smaller
cylindrical shape having a diameter less than D3, a rectangular or triangular
segment, or cone-
shaped architecture, wherein the middle segment 633 has at least one area
where the surface
contour width or radial extension remains within the constraints of diameter
D3 to allow fluid,
exiting egress port middle segment's aperture or cavity 6401 and contained by
seals 637, 638
and the circumferential stanchion inner wall, to flow around the egress port
middle segment to
the opposite side for input into the filter base from an aperture in the
receiving stanchion.
The ingress port segments 622-624 and egress port segments 632-634 may each
have outer
surface contours separate and distinct from one other. In the alternative,
ingress port segments
622-624 and egress port segments 632-634 may have substantially similar outer
surface
topologies. In any case, the respective middle segments will have an outer
surface topology
(e.g., the outer diameter in a substantially cylindrically shaped embodiment)
that has an outer
surface contour with a diameter or width that is less than the inner wall of
the receiving filter
base stanchion by an amount sufficient to create an annular gap that allows
fluid to flow around
and about the middle segments between their respective upper and lower seals.
The measurements of outermost diameter D3 of egress port 630 at the seal /
stanchion inner
wall interface may be between 0.25-0.45 inches - and optionally 0.36 inches -
while the egress
middle segment 633 diameter D4 of egress port 630 may be between 0.2-0.4
inches, and
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optionally 028 inches. The middle segment smaller radial extension D4 is less
than diameter
D3 to achieve fluid flow about and around the egress port middle segment. This
allows for the
outer surface contour radial extension of ingress middle segment 623 to be
less than the
compressed sealing diameter at the manifolds stanchion inner wall.
5 Ingress port 620 and egress port 630 both include aperture or cavity
640a,b located on their
respective middle segments 623, 633 for the passage of fluid. The ingress port
and egress port
apertures or cavities 640a,b are exposed in a direction facing away from the
filter base stanchion
apertures that are in fluid communication with apertures 640a,b. The opposing
placement of the
apertures is helpful because upon extraction of the filter cartridge, if
ingress and egress apertures
10 640a,b are in a direction facing the filter base stanchion apertures
(defined simply as a means of
convention as a forward direction), any fluid that drains from apertures
640a,b may drip upon the
electronics and electronic surfaces populated on the electronic circuit
component or printed
circuit board 660 located forward of the filter key in a PCB housing 662. Once
the filter housing
610 is installed in the filter base or manifold, the cavities 640a,b of the
ingress and egress ports
15 are designed to be facing away from the filter base ports (not shown).
Water flowing through
housing assembly 600 thus enters and exits the cavities 640a,b, respectively,
flows around the
middle segments 623, 633 of the ingress and egress ports within the manifold
stanchions, and
continues into the ports. The variable widths, radial extensions or diameters
D2, D4 of the
middle segments 623, 633, respectively, allows for the water to flow around
the ingress and
20 egress port middle segments within the stanchion's cylindrical cavity
without building undue
pressure that could otherwise force a leak through the seals 627, 628, 637,
638 and onto the filter
housing assembly 600, which would otherwise cause damage to the electronics
disposed on the
printed circuit board 660as further described below.
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Ingress port and egress port 620, 630 extend from, and are substantially
perpendicular to, a non-
diameter chord line Cl of the housing top portion 614, as shown in FIG. 12E.
Moving the
ingress and egress ports off a corresponding parallel diameter of the housing
top portion is
helpful to allow for sufficient space on the housing top portion 614 for
placement of the PC
board housing 662 and PC board 660_ Dimensionally, the distance between chord
line Cl and a
parallel diameter of housing top portion 614 may be between 0.1-0.5 inches,
and optionally 0.3
inches. The ingress and egress ports are off-diagonal center in order to
accommodate the
remaining particular features of the housing assembly 600. Ingress port 620
and egress port 630
are spaced apart from each other on chord line Cl by approximately 0,65-0,85
inches, and
optionally 0.74 inches. The filter key 650 is centered on, and perpendicularly
intersects with,
chord line Cl.
The filter key 650 structured for mating attachment to a filter base or
manifold is located on or
connected to the housing 610, and extends upwards in a direction parallel to
the axial center 616
of the housing top portion 614. Filter key 650 comprises a base 651 having a
front lateral side
652a, and a rear or back lateral side 652b, with a groove 654 running
therethrough for receiving
protrusion 618 on housing top portion 614, and lengthwise or longitudinal
sides 653 running
substantially parallel to protrusion 618, as shown across FIGS. 13A-13C.
Filter key 650 is
secured to the housing top portion 614 via the connection between groove 654
and protrusion
618.
Base 651 extends upward along the housing top portion axial center 616, having
the exposed
front face and back face 652a, 652b, respectively, and two exposed
longitudinal side faces
653a,b. A cross-section of the base 651 in a plane parallel to the front and
back lateral faces
652a,b depicts longitudinal sides 653a,b gradually tapering inward through the
upward
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extension, and then projecting upwards parallel to the central axis to a top
surface that supports
an attachment member such as finger 655 as discussed further below.
From the top of base 651 extends finger 655 (and in at least one other
embodiment, a plurality
of extending fingers), the finger 655 extending substantially parallel to the
exposed front and
back lateral faces or sides 652a,b, and substantially perpendicular to the
housing top portion
axial center line 616. Finger(s) 655 further includes on one side a contacting
portion 656
forming substantially a first angle and exposed in a first direction with
respect to the housing
top portion, which presents a camming surface for slidably mating with a
filter base drive key.
In a second embodiment, an adjacent side 657 is introduced (as depicted in
Fig, 13) forming a
second angle and exposed in asecond direction with respect to the housing top
portion, such that
the first angle and the second angle are not equal.
Once installed on the housing top portion, the filter key is spaced
approximately 0.4-0.6 inches -
and optionally 0.53 inches - from either port 620, 630, as measured on the
chord line Cl from
the closest outer surface point of either port on each side of the filter key.
In this manner, the
filter key is centered between the ports. The filter key extends frontwards
(away from the
exposed face of apertures 640a,b) beyond chord line Cl, extending through the
center of both
ports, such that lengthwise the filter key is not centered about the chord
line Cl, and extends in
one direction (conventionally only, defined as frontwards) further away from
the ingress and
egress ports than in the opposite direction.
A PCB housing or holder 662 having a recess 663 formed for receiving the
printed circuit board
660 is extended frontwards from the filter key base. The PCB housing and
recess is attachable
to, or preferably integral with, filter key 650, as shown in Figs. 13A-13C.
The printed circuit
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board 660 may alternatively be connected directly to the filter housing 610,
without the need for
a PCB housing structure, as exemplified in Figs. 14A-14D.
The filter key may extend partially within recess 663 as depicted in Fig. 13A.
This filter key
extended portion 650a may cause the attaching PC board to be shaped to
accommodate the
extended portion 650a, giving the PC board an elongated "horseshoe" shaped
footprint around
the extended portion. Recess 663 is substantially linear at one end 663a as
shown in Fig_ 13A,
extending outwards from the filter key base exposed side faces 653a,b. The
opposing side 663b
of recess 663 may be curved as shown. The PCB housing 662 may have a length
(from outside
wall to outside wall) of approximately 1,47467 inches (optionally 1,57
inches), and a lateral or
shorter dimension of approximately 0.63-0.83 inches (optionally 0.73 inches).
Recess 663 is
depicted with a lengthwise dimension (from inside wall to inside wall) that
may have a length at
its substantially linear end 663a of approximately 1.37-1.57 inches (and
optionally 1.47 inches),
and with a lateral or shorter dimension having a length of approximately 0.52-
0.72 inches (and
optionally 0.62 inches), such that the recess resembles approximately a
rectangular basin with
curved corners on the end furthest from the filter key.
PCB housing 662 is connected to, or integral with, the longitudinal sides
653a,b of the filter key
and extends on each side past - and centered about - the filter key exposed
side faces 652a,b
respectively. When installed, the PCB housing bottom surface preferably forms
to the shape of
the housing top portion 614. As the housing top portion 614 is depicted in one
embodiment as
being domed shaped, the PCB housing bottom surface is concave facing the
housing top
portion.
The PCB housing sidewalls extend upward from the PCB housing bottom surface
such that the
top edge of the PCB housing plateaus in a planar surface perpendicular to the
housing axial
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center 616. The PCB housing is designed to receive a relatively straight, flat
PC board
Alternatively, the PCB housing may be shaped in a non-plateauing manner to
accommodate a
printed circuit board that is not shaped as a flat board, and to allow for a
proper electrical
attachment of the filter housing 610 to a connector on the filter base.
PCB housing may be alternatively designed to extend past the rear lateral
exposed back side of
the filter key (not shown). In another alternative, PCB housing 662 may be
presented as its own
distinct piece separate from the filter key 650, to be separately connected to
the housing
assembly 600 (not shown). In still a further alternative, PCB housing 662 may
be integral with
the housing 610, either at the top portion 614 or elsewhere on the housing
body 612 as
manufacturing demands may require.
PCB housing 662 further includes exposed terminal posts 664 disposed therein
for mechanically
supporting the printed circuit board 660. Other extension features or ledges
extending internally
from the recess side walls 663a,b are used to support the PC Board about its
periphery.
The PCB includes pads 661 for electrical connection to a connector located on
the filter base.
The pads 661 are optionally gold plated, and designed for swiping interaction
with a
corresponding connector terminal (not shown) during the insertion and removal
of the filter
assembly from its respective base. In an embodiment, the PC board includes
four pads (two sets
of two pad connectors) for electrical connection. The pads are exposed facing
upwards on the
PC board, and are preferably rectangular in footprint shape to accommodate
tolerances in the
filter base connector, especially during the pushing motion for insertion and
extraction of the
filter cartridge.
In operation, printed circuit board 660 assists a processor in utilizing
crypto-authentication
elements with protected hardware based key storage (up to 16 keys). Electronic
components
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such as authentication chips, capacitors, resistors, diodes, LED's, and the
like, are supported on
the bottom side of the PCB, opposite the pads 661. The printed circuit board
executes
encryption capabilities using secure hash algorithms ("SHA") with 256 bit key
lengths. The
circuit board 660 is further capable of housing additional electronics for
storing information
5 pertaining to estimated water flow (through the filter housing assembly),
and total filter usage
time. This information is communicated via a main control board, the main
control board being
optionally installed on or within a refrigerator, and which further monitors
the filter usage time
and estimated water flow, among other variables.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, electrical connection of
filter housing
10 assembly 600 to a mating filter base may be achieved using an electrical
connector or wire
harness assembly such as that of Figs. 15-18. It should be understood by those
skilled in the art
that a wire harness assembly as described herein is only one illustrative
means of making an
electrical connection between the filter housing assembly and a mating filter
base according to
the present invention, and that other means of making such electrical
connection are not
15 precluded.
Referring now to Figs. 15 and 16, an illustrative wire harness 710 (also
referred to as an
electrical connector 710) includes a first connector 712, a second connector
714, and wires or
conductors 716 extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, four
conductors 716 are
provided, but other numbers of conductors 716 can be provided to accommodate
the electrical
20 requirements without departing from the scope of the invention. In
typical applications, the
harness 710 is operatively connected to, positioned at, and/or forms a part of
a filter base for
mating with a complementary filter housing assembly. Here, in some
embodiments, the first
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connector 712 of the wire harness 710 is operatively coupled (e.g.,
electrically and
mechanically coupled) with a corresponding connection component of a filter
base assembly.
Contacts 718 are provided at one end of the conductors 716. The contacts 718
are configured to
be inserted into the housing 720 of the first connector 712. While crimped
contacts 718 are
shown, the contacts 718 are not so limited. In addition, the first connector
712 need not be
limited to the type of plug connector shown. In some embodiments, the first
connector 712 is
connected to the circuitry 910 of an appliance, such as a refrigerator 900
(Fig. 31),
As best shown in Figs. 16-18, the second connector 714 has resilient contacts
722 provided
therein, In the embodiment shown, four contacts 722 are provided so that each
of the
conductors 716 may be terminated. However, other numbers of contacts 722 may
be provided
based on the number of conductors 716. The contacts 722 are stamped and formed
from
material having the appropriate electrical and mechanical characteristics.
The contacts 722 have wire termination sections 724, transition or compliant
sections 726, and
mating portions or substrate engagement sections 728 for connection to a
mating connection
surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit
component (e.g,
circuit pads or connection devices 740 of electronic circuit component 742).
The wire
termination sections 724 have folded over areas 730 provided proximate the
free ends 732.
Slots 734 are provided in the folded over areas 730 to form insulation
displacement slots which
cooperate with the conductors 716 to place the contacts 722 in electrical
engagement with the
conductors 716.
The transition or compliant sections 726 extend from the wire termination
sections 724. In the
illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or compliant sections 726 extend
at essentially
right angles from the wire termination sections 724, although other angles may
be used.
KXIN162104099
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Embossments 736 extend from the wire termination sections 724 to the
transition or compliant
sections 726 to provide additional strength and stability between the wire
termination sections
724 and the transition or compliant sections 726. The shape, size and
positioning of the
embossments 736 may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or
resiliency of the
contacts that is desired.
The substrate engagement sections 728 extend from the transition or compliant
sections 726. In
the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engagement sections 728
extend at essentially
right angles from the transition or compliant sections 726, although other
angles may be used.
The substrate engagement sections or mating portions 728 have curved contact
sections 738
which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement
with circuit pads
or connection devices 740 (e.g., of a corresponding connection assembly having
an electronic
circuit component 742, such as pads 661 of printed circuit board 660 of filter
housing assembly
600, as described with respect to Figs. 12-13). In at least one embodiment,
the wire harness 710
is positioned within a water filter base assembly of an appliance, such as a
refrigerator. Here,
the wire harness 710 may positioned within a filter base that is configured to
receive a
corresponding mating filter housing or cartridge assembly (e.g., a water
filter cartridge). In
such embodiment, the wire harness 710 may be employed to establish an
electrical connection
between the circuitry of the refrigerator and the connection assembly of the
filter cartridge (e.g.,
a water filter cartridge). Embossments 744 are provided on the curved contact
sections 738 to
provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact sections 738,
The shape, size and
positioning of the embossments 744 may be varied depending upon the amount of
stiffness or
resiliency of the contacts that is desired.
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The connector housing 746 of the second connector 714 has an upper surface 748
and an
oppositely facing lower surface 750. Contact-receiving enclosures 752 extend
from the upper
surface 748 in a direction away from the lower surface 750. In the embodiment
shown, four
contact-receiving enclosures 752 are provided so that each of the contacts 722
may be
positioned in a contact-receiving enclosure 752. However, other numbers of
contact-receiving
enclosures 752 may be provided based on the number of contacts 722 and
conductors 716. The
contact-receiving enclosures 752 are dimensioned to receive the free ends 732
of the contacts
722 and a portion of the folded over areas 730 of the wire termination
sections 724 therein.
Conductor-receiving conduits 754 are provided between the upper surface 748
and the lower
surface 750. The conductor-receiving conduits 754 are dimensioned to receive a
portion of the
conductors 716 therein. The conductor-receiving conduits 754 are provided in-
line with the
contact-receiving enclosures 752 such that the conductors 716 positioned in
the conductor-
receiving conduits 754 extend through the contact-receiving enclosures 752.
Contact-receiving projections 756 extend from the lower surface 750 in a
direction away from
the upper surface 748. In the embodiment shown, four contact-receiving
projections 756 are
provided so that each of the contacts 722 may be positioned in a contact-
receiving projection
756. However, other numbers of contact-receiving projections 756 may be
provided based on
the number of contacts 722 and conductors 716. Slots 758 are provided in the
contact-receiving
projections 56. The slots 758 are dimensioned to receive and retain a portion
of the folded over
areas 30 of the wire termination sections 724 therein.
During assembly of the second electrical connector 714 and the wire harness
710, the
conductors 716 are inserted in the conductor-receiving conduits 754, such that
ends of the
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conductors 716 extend in the conductor-receiving conduits 754 past the contact-
receiving
enclosures 752.
With the conductors 716 fully inserted, the contacts 722 are inserted into the
connector housing
746 from the bottom surface 750. The folded over areas 730 of the wire
termination sections
724 are inserted into the slots 758 of the contact-receiving projections 756.
As the insertion of
the contacts 722 continues, the slots 734 of the folded over areas 730 of the
wire termination
sections 724 engage the conductors 716 positioned in the conductor-receiving
conduits 754,
causing the insulation of the conductors 716 to be displaced, as is known for
insulation
displacement type contacts, and providing a mechanical and electrical
connection between the
contacts 722 and the conductors 716.
With the wire termination sections 724 properly positioned in the slots 758 of
the contact-
receiving projections 756, the wire termination sections 724 are maintained in
position by barbs,
interference fit, or other known means.
With the contacts 722 properly secured to the conductors 716 and the housing
746 of the
electrical connector 714, the electronic circuit component 742, such as
printed circuit board
660, is moved into engagement with the curved sections 738 of the substrate
engagement
sections 728 of the contacts 722. As this occurs, the resilient contacts 722
flex (e.g., compress,
deform, or the like) from one position to another, such that the curved
sections 738 of the
substrate engagement sections 728 of the contacts 722 exert a force on the
mating connection
surfaces or circuit pads 740 (also referred to as one or more connection
devices 740) of the
electronic circuit component 742 (e.g., circuit pads 661 of printed circuit
board 660) to retain
the contacts 722 in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads
740.
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When mating between the electronic circuit component 742 and the contacts 722
occurs, the
movement of the electronic circuit component 742 (e.g., printed circuit board
660) toward the
electrical connector 714 causes the contacts 722 to resiliently deform or
deflect by 4 mm or
more to provide a sufficient mating force between the contacts 722 and the
circuit pads 740. As
5 the resilient deflection of the contacts 722 occurs, the wire termination
sections 724 remain in a
fixed position in the slots 758 of the contact-receiving projections 756. The
substrate
engagement sections 728 are moved in a direction which is essentially parallel
to the
longitudinal axis of the contacts 722, causing the transition or compliant
sections 726 to pivot
about the points where the transition or compliant sections 726 engage the
wire termination
10 sections 724. The rigidity of the points where the transition or
compliant sections 726 engage
the wire termination sections 724 and the rigidity of the embossments 736
determine the mating
force applied by the contacts 722 to the circuit pads 740.
After mating of the circuit pads 740 to the contacts 722 occurs, the
electrical connector 714 and
the electronic circuit component 742 (e.g., printed circuit board 660) are
maintained in position
15 by latches or other means to prevent the unwanted withdraw of the
circuit pads 740 from the
contacts 722.
Referring now to Figs. 19 through 21, a second illustrative wire harness 7110
(also referred to
as an electrical connector 7110) includes a first connector 7112, a second
connector 7114 and
wires or conductors 7116 extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, four
conductors
20 7116 are provided, but other number of conductors 7116 can be provided
to accommodate the
electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the invention.
Contacts 7118 are provided at one end of the conductors 7116. The contacts
7118 are
configured to be inserted into the housing 7120 of the first connector 7112.
While crimped
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contacts 7118 are shown, the contacts 7118 are not so limited. In addition,
the first connector
7112 is not limited to the type of plug connector shown. In some embodiments,
the first
connector 7112 is connected to the circuitry of an appliance (e.g., a
refrigerator).
As best shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the second connector 7114 has resilient
contacts 7122
provided therein. In the embodiment shown, four contacts 7122 are provided so
that each of the
conductors 7116 may be terminated_ However, other numbers of contacts 7122 may
be
provided based on the number of conductors 7116_ The contacts 7122 are stamped
and formed
from material having the appropriate electrical and mechanical
characteristics.
The contacts 7122 have housing termination sections 7124, transition or
compliant sections
7126 and mating portions or substrate engagement sections 7128 for connection
to a mating
connection surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic
circuit
component (e.g, circuit pads or connection devices 7140 of electronic circuit
component 7142).
The housing termination sections 7124 have housing engagement members 7130
which extend
from vertical members 7132. Mounting openings 7134 (Fig. 21) are provided in
the housing
engagement members 7130. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the housing
engagement
members 7130 extend at essentially right angles from the vertical members
7132, although
other angles may be used. Embossments 7136 extend from the housing engagement
members
7130 to the vertical members 7132 to provide additional strength and
stability. The shape, size
and positioning of the embossments 7136 may be varied depending upon the
amount of
stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired,
The transition or compliant sections 7126 extend from the housing termination
sections 7124.
In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or compliant sections
7126 extend at
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essentially right angles from the housing termination sections 7124, although
other angles may
be used.
The substrate engagement sections 7128 extend from the transition or compliant
sections 7126.
In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engagement sections 7128
extend at
essentially right angles from the transition or compliant sections 7126,
although other angles
may be used. The substrate engagement sections 7128 or mating portions have
curved contact
sections 7138 which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and
electrical engagement
with circuit pads 7140 of a mating electronic circuit component 7142 (Fig.
19), such as pads
661 of printed circuit board 660 as shown in Figs, 12-14, Embossments 7144 are
provided on
the curved contact sections 7138 to provide additional strength and stability
between the curved
contact sections 7138. The shape, size and positioning of the embossments 7144
may be varied
depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is
desired.
The connector housing 7146 of the second connector 7114 has an upper surface
7148 and an
oppositely facing lower surface 7150. As best shown in Fig. 21, openings 7152
extend from the
upper surface 7148 to the lower surface 7150. In the embodiment shown, four
openings 7152
are provided, however other numbers of openings 7152 may be provided based on
the number
of contacts 7122 and conductors 7116. The openings 7152 are dimensioned to
receive the
mounting hardware 7154 therein.
Ring contacts 7156 are provided at the ends of the conductors 7116. The ring
contacts 7156 are
provided in-line with the openings 7152. The ring contacts 7156 have openings
7158 to receive
the mounting hardware 7154 therein.
During assembly of the second electrical connector 7114 and the wire harness
7110, the
openings 7158 of the ring contacts 7156 of the conductors 7116 are positioned
in line with the
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openings 7152. The mounting openings 7134 of the contacts 7122 are also
positioned in line
with the openings 7152. The mounting hardware 7154 is inserted through the
openings 7158,
the openings 7152 and the openings 7134 to secure the conductors 7116 and the
contacts 7122
to the connector housing 7146. The mounting hardware 7154 also provides the
electrical
connection between the ring contacts 7156 of the conductors 7116 and the
contacts 7122.
With the contacts 7122 properly secured to the housing 7146 of the electrical
connector 7114,
the printed circuit board 7142 is moved into engagement with the curved
sections 7138 of the
substrate engagement sections 7128 of the contacts 7122. As this occurs, the
resilient contacts
7122 flex (e.g., compress or deform) from one position to another, such that
the curved sections
7138 of the substrate engagement sections 7128 of the contacts 7122 exert a
force on the mating
connection surfaces or circuit pads 7140 of the electronic circuit component
or printed circuit
board 7142 to retain the contacts 7122 in mechanical and electrical engagement
with the circuit
pads 7140.
When mating between the printed circuit board 7142 and the contacts 7122
occurs, the
movement of the electronic circuit component 7142 toward the electrical
connector 114 causes
the contacts 7122 to resiliently deform or deflect by 4 mm or more to provide
a sufficient
mating force between the contacts 7122 and the circuit pads 7140. As the
resilient deflection of
the contacts 7122 occur, the housing engagement members 7130 and the vertical
members 7132
of the housing termination sections 7124 remains in a fixed position. The
substrate engagement
sections 7128 are moved in a direction which is essentially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of
the contacts 7122, causing the transition or compliant sections 7126 to pivot
about the points
where the transition or compliant sections 7126 engage the vertical members
7132. The rigidity
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of the points where the transition or compliant sections 7126 engage the
vertical members 7132
determine the mating force applied by the contacts 7122 to the circuit pads
7140.
After mating of the circuit pads 7140 to the contacts 7122 occurs, the
electrical connector 7114
and the circuit board 7142 are maintained in position by latches or other
means to prevent the
unwanted withdraw of the circuit pads 7140 from the contacts 7122.
Fig. 22 depicts another embodiment of a filter base assembly in accordance
with the present
invention, which is adapted to operatively connect to a wire harness assembly
for making an
electrical connection between the filter base and a complementary mating
filter housing
assembly, such as filter housing assembly 600. Filter base 1000 includes a
base platform 1010
having an enclosure 1011 for holding a locking member such as floating or
sliding lock 1012 in
place while allowing it to freely move in a direction perpendicular to the
axial extensions of the
stanchions 1001a,b, off its center position and back to its center position
during the insertion
and extraction of a mating filter housing assembly, such as filter housing
assembly 600.
Stanchions 1001a,b are disposed on either side of enclosure 1011 for receiving
ingress and
egress ports of a mating filter housing. In one or more embodiments, floating
lock 1012 may be
structurally identical to floating lock 12, as described above with respect to
Figs. 3A-3E. In
other embodiments, enclosure 1011 may also hold floating lock 1200 and
floating lock 1212 of
Fig. 8. For simplicity, reference is made chiefly to the interaction of
enclosure 1011 with
floating lock 1012 (e.g,, locking member or floating lock 12), although it
should be understood
by those skilled in the art that the applicability of enclosure 1011 includes
usage with floating
lock 1200 and 1212 as well. Enclosure 1011 includes a protruding encasement
1002, larger than
floating lock 1012, and made to enclose floating lock 1012 therein. Encasement
1002 prevents
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over-travel of floating lock 1012, and protects it when installed from
extraneous, unintended
movement.
Ingress/egress stanchions 1001a,b are located on opposite sides of encasement
1002 on laterally-
extending portions 1013 of base platform enclosure 1011, that is, the portions
of enclosure 1011
that run perpendicular to the longer or longitudinal sides of enclosure 1011.
Ports 1003a,b
represent the ingress and egress ports for the fluid and extend along parallel
axes to stanchions
1001a,b, respectively, and are connected to the water lines of the
refrigerator. Shut-off stanchions
1001a,b include shutoff plugs (not shown), which act as valve seals to stop
fluid flow when the
filter cartridge is being removed. Shut-off stanchions 1001a,b are preferably
cylindrical in shape,
containing spring activated, 0-ring sealed plugs for sealing the ingress and
egress lines during
filter cartridge removal, In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 22 and 27, base
platform 1010 is
formed integrally with stanchions 1001a,b, which are disposed on either
longitudinal side of base
platform enclosure 1011 and offset from a midpoint of the length of enclosure
1011 in the
direction of one end thereof. Each ingress/egress stanchion 1001a,b has an
upper stanchion
portion 1004a,b extending perpendicularly upwards with respect to a top
surface of base platform
1010 in an axial direction and a lower stanchion portion 1005a,b extending
downwards with
respect to base platform 1010 in the axial direction. In at least one
embodiment, stanchions
1001a,b may be spaced apart from each other by approximately 0.65-0.85 inches,
and optionally
0.74 inches, to accommodate insertion of ingress and egress ports of a mating
filter housing
assembly, such as ingress and egress ports 620, 630 of filter housing assembly
600. Enclosure
1011 includes curved portions shaped to go around shut-off stanchions 1001a,b
and further
includes a center aperture 1031 that allows for longitudinal movement
(parallel to the longitudinal
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sides) of locking member or floating lock 1012. As best seen in Fig. 22A,
floating lock 1012 may
include an extension member 1080 opposite the face
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configured with extended attachment members or fingers and gaps (Fig 22), in
order to permit
resilient components, such as helical or torsion springs to act upon it. In
these embodiments, the
extension member 1080 is acted upon by resilient devices held within spring
housing 1090, as
shown in Fig. 22A. In an embodiment, spring housing 1090 is preferably
attached by snap fit to
filter base 1000, although other attachment schemes known in the art may be
easily employed,
such as bonding, welding, and assorted mechanical fasteners.
Referring now to Figs. 23-24, a wire harness 810 (also referred to as an
electrical connector
810) for mechanical connection with filter base 1000 is shown. Wire harness
810 includes a
first connector 812, a second connector 814 and wires or conductors 816
extending
therebetween. In the embodiment shown, four conductors 816 are provided, but
other numbers
of conductors 816 can be provided to accommodate the electrical requirements
without
departing from the scope of the invention. In typical applications, the
harness 810 is operatively
connected to, positioned at, and/or forms a part of a filter base for mating
with a complementary
filter housing assembly (e.g., as shown in Figs. 25 through 29 and described
in more detail
below). Here, and in at least some other embodiments of the present invention,
the first
connector 812 of the wire harness 810 is operatively coupled (e.g.,
electrically and
mechanically coupled) with a corresponding connection component of filter base
1000.
Contacts (not shown) are provided at a first end of the conductors 816. The
contacts are
configured to be inserted into the housing 820 of the first connector 812, and
may be crimped in
a similar manner to contacts 718 and 7118, as shown in Figs. 17 and 21,
respectively; however
it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the contacts are not
so limited. In
addition, the first connector 812 is not limited to the type of plug connector
shown. In one or
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more embodiments, the first connector 812 is connected to the circuitry of an
appliance, such as
a refrigerator.
The second connector 814 has resilient contacts 822 provided therein. In the
embodiment
shown, four contacts 822 are provided so that each of the conductors 816 may
be terminated.
However, other numbers of contacts 822 may be provided based on the number of
conductors
816. The contacts 822 are stamped and formed from material having the
appropriate electrical
and mechanical characteristics.
The contacts 822 have wire termination sections 824, transition or compliant
sections 826 and
substrate engagement sections 828 or mating portions for connection to a
mating connection
surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit
component (e.g,
circuit pads 661 of printed circuit board 660 of filter housing assembly 600).
The wire
termination sections 824 may have folded over areas provided proximate the
free ends (not
shown). Slots may be provided in the folded over areas to form insulation
displacement slots
which cooperate with the conductors 816 to place the contacts 822 in
electrical engagement
with the conductors 816. In one or more embodiments, the free ends of contacts
822 may be
configured in a similar manner to contacts 722, with folded over areas 730
proximate free ends
732 and including slots 734 therein, as shown in Fig. 18; however it should be
understood by
those skilled in the art that the configuration of contacts 822 is not so
limited.
The transition or compliant sections 826 extend from the wire termination
sections 824. In the
illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or compliant sections 826 extend
at obtuse angles
from the wire termination sections 824, although other angles may be used,
such as essentially
right angles. Embossments 836 may extend from the wire termination sections
824 to the
transition or compliant sections 826 to provide additional strength and
stability between the
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wire termination sections 824 and the transition or compliant sections 826.
The shape, size and
positioning of the embossments 836 may be varied depending upon the amount of
stiffness or
resiliency of the contacts that is desired.
The substrate engagement sections 828 extend from the transition or compliant
sections 826. In
the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engagement sections 828
extend upwardly at
essentially right angles from the transition or compliant sections 826,
although other angles may
be used. The substrate engagement sections or mating portions 828 have curved
contact sections
838 which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical
engagement with circuit
pads or connection devices of a corresponding connection assembly having an
electronic circuit
component, such as circuit pads 661 of printed circuit board 660 of filter
housing assembly 600,
as described with respect to Figs. 12-14, In a particular embodiment, the wire
harness 810 is
positioned within a water filter base assembly of an appliance. In some
embodiments, the
appliance is a refrigerator. Here, the wire harness 810 is positioned within
filter base 1000
configured to receive a corresponding mating filter housing or cartridge
assembly (e.g., a water
filter cartridge). In such embodiment, the wire harness 810 may be employed to
establish an
electrical connection between the circuitry of the refrigerator and the
connection assembly of
the filter cartridge (e.g., a water filter cartridge). In one or more
embodiments, embossments
may be provided on the curved contact sections 838 to provide additional
strength and stability
to the curved contact sections 838. The shape, size, and positioning of the
embossments may be
varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts
that is desired.
The connector housing 846 of the second connector 814 has an upper surface 848
and an
oppositely facing lower surface 850 comprising substantially planar extended
portions 849, 851
separated by a gapped recess 847 for accommodating a portion of base platform
encasement
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1002 and floating lock 1012 disposed therebetween (Fig. 27)_ Extensions 849,
851 are
connected by a midportion 853 such that connector housing 846 forms a
substantially "U"-
shaped member for at least partially surrounding encasement 1002 and floating
lock 1012.
Midportion 853 includes a slot 855 for receiving resilient tongue 1070 of
housing 1090 therein
for securing connector housing 846 to filter base 1000, as shown, for example,
in Figs. 25-26_
Connector housing 846 is preferably attached by snap fit to enclosure 1011 by
inserting at least
a portion of housing extended portions 849, 851 into laterally-extending
slotted portions 1020a
and 1020b, respectively, of base platform 1010 (Fig. 22) to allow tongue 1070
to be received,
such as by snap-fit, in connector housing slot 855, although other attachment
schemes known in
the art may be easily employed, such as bonding, welding, and assorted
mechanical fasteners.
Contact-receiving enclosures 852 positioned on or integral with each of planar
extensions 849,
851 extend from the connector housing upper surface 848 in a direction away
from the lower
surface 850, In the embodiment shown, four contact-receiving enclosures 852
are provided so
that each of the contacts 822 may be positioned in a contact-receiving
enclosure 852. However,
other numbers of contact-receiving enclosures 852 may be provided based on the
number of
contacts 822 and conductors 816. The contact-receiving enclosures 852 are
dimensioned to
receive the free ends of the contacts 822 and a portion of the wire
termination sections 824
therein.
Conductor-receiving conduits 854 are provided integral with upper surface 848
and the lower
surface 850, The conductor-receiving conduits 854 are dimensioned to receive a
portion of the
conductors 816 therein, The conductor-receiving conduits 854 are provided in-
line with the
contact-receiving enclosures 852 such that the conductors 816 positioned in
the conductor-
receiving conduits 854 extend through the contact-receiving enclosures 852.
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Contact-receiving projections 856 extend from the connector housing lower
surface 850 in a
direction away from the upper surface 848. In the embodiment shown, four
contact-receiving
projections 856 are provided so that each of the contacts 822 may be
positioned in a contact-
receiving projection 856. However, other numbers of contact-receiving
projections 856 may be
5 provided based on the number of contacts 822 and conductors 816. Slots
858 are provided in
the contact-receiving projections 856. The slots 858 are dimensioned to
receive and retain a
portion of the wire termination sections 824 therein.
During assembly of the second electrical connector 814 and the wire harness
810, the
conductors 816 are inserted in the conductor-receiving conduits 854, such that
ends of the
10 conductors 816 extend in the conductor-receiving conduits 854 past the
contact-receiving
enclosures 852.
With the conductors 816 fully inserted, the contacts 822 are inserted into the
connector housing
846 from the bottom surface 850. A portion of the wire termination sections
824 are inserted
into the slots 858 of the contact-receiving projections 856. As the insertion
of the contacts 822
15 continues, the wire termination sections 824 engage the conductors 816
positioned in the
conductor-receiving conduits 854, causing the insulation of the conductors 816
to be displaced,
as is known for insulation displacement type contacts, and providing a
mechanical and electrical
connection between the contacts 822 and the conductors 816.
With the wire termination sections 824 properly positioned in the slots 858 of
the contact-
20 receiving projections 856, the wire termination sections 824 are
maintained in position by barbs,
interference fit, or other known means.
Referring now to FIGS. 28-29, filter base 1000 with electrical connector or
wire harness 810 is
shown connected to a corresponding mating filter housing assembly 600. In one
or more
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embodiments, the interaction between filter key 650 of filter housing assembly
600 and floating
lock 1012 is identical to that described above with respect to the interaction
between filter key 5
and floating lock 12, for example. Filter key 650 includes at least one finger
or extended
attachment member used to mate with, or interlock with, corresponding
protrusions or drive keys
1023a,b located on longitudinal sides of floating lock 1012, such that when
filter key 650 is
inserted to mate with floating lock 1012, the filter key attachment member
slidably contacts the
drive keys to shift floating lock 1012 longitudinally off its initial position
an incremental amount
to allow the filter key finger to traverse between gaps on floating lock 1012.
Once the fingers
have passed between the corresponding gaps on floating lock 1012, which is
stidably restrained
under tensional forces, floating lock 1012 is partially returned towards its
original position by the
tensional retraction forces so that the filter key finger aligns or interlocks
with at least one
protrusion or drive key on floating lock 1012, and the alignment resists any
direct outward, axial
extraction forces.
In at least one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 30, locking member or floating
lock 1012 may
include at least one drive key 1024, and preferably a pair of opposing drive
keys 1024a and
1024b, which is shaped differently from the remaining drive keys 1023a,b to
facilitate
interlocking or latching between filter key 650 and floating lock 1012, such
as if the filter
housing is inserted into the filter base too slowly or with insufficient axial
insertion force. As
best seen in Fig. 30A, drive key 1024 includes a receiving wedge 1029 having
an extended shelf
portion 1030 (as compared to drive keys 1023a,b) to capture the attachment
members or fingers
of the filter key, opposite slanted edge 1021. As shown in Fig, 30, drive keys
1024a, 1024b are
positioned at one end of floating lock 1012, with spaced protrusions or drive
keys 1023a,b
forming the remainder of the longitudinal sides of the lock; however, it
should be understood by
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those skilled in the art that in other embodiments, any of drive keys 1023a,b
may instead be
replaced with drive keys 1024 without negatively impacting the intended
interlocking
functionality. Upon insertion, when fingers of the filter key contact drive
keys 123a,b, and 1024,
floating lock 1012 shifts away from its initial position, against retraction
forces, and moves
according to the contacting angled portions or edges 58 and 1021. Once the
wings of the filter
key's fingers clear lip 1027 of the drive keys, floating lock 1012 is not
prohibited from reacting
to the retraction forces, and moves slightly back, towards its original
position where the diamond
shaped wings are then trapped by receiving wedges 1029. This position locks
filter key 650 to
floating lock 1012 resisting any a direct axial extraction force.
For simplicity, a further detailed description of the interaction between
filter key 650 and lock
1012 will not be repeated herein; however, it should be understood by those
skilled in the art that
the releasably-securable locking mechanism of this embodiment of the present
invention
functions in an otherwise similar manner as that described above with respect
to filter key 5 and
slidable lock 12, for example.
The electrical connection between wire harness 810 and printed circuit board
660 will now be
described. With the contacts 822 properly secured to the conductors 816 and
the housing 846 of
the electrical connector 814, as filter housing assembly 600 is inserted into
filter base 1000,
printed circuit board 660 is moved into engagement with the curved contact
sections 838 of the
substrate engagement sections 828 of the contacts 822 of wire harness 810. As
this occurs, the
resilient contacts 822 flex (e.g., compress, deform, or the like) from one
position to another,
such that the curved sections 838 of the substrate engagement sections 828 of
the contacts 822
exert a force on the mating connection surfaces or circuit pads 661 of printed
circuit board 660
to retain the contacts 822 in mechanical and electrical engagement with the
circuit pads 661.
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When mating between the printed circuit board 660 and the contacts 822 occurs,
the movement
of the printed circuit board 660 toward the electrical connector 814 causes
the contacts 822 to
resiliently deform or deflect by 4 mm or more to provide a sufficient mating
force between the
contacts 822 and the circuit pads 661. As the resilient deflection of the
contacts 822 occurs, the
wire termination sections 824 remain in a fixed position in the slots 858 of
the contact-receiving
projections 856. The substrate engagement sections 828 are moved in a
direction which is
essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contacts 822, causing the
transition or
compliant sections 826 to pivot about the points where the transition or
compliant sections 826
engage the wire tertnination sections 824. The rigidity of the points where
the transition or
compliant sections 826 engage the wire termination sections 824 and the
rigidity of the
embossments 836 determine the mating force applied by the contacts 822 to the
circuit pads
661.
After mating of the circuit pads 661 to the contacts 822 occurs, the
electrical connector 814 and
the printed circuit board 660 are maintained in position by latches or other
means to prevent the
unwanted withdrawal of the circuit pads 661 from the contacts 822.
In a particular embodiment, an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator) may include a
wire harness
assembly as described herein, and the wire harness may be connected to the
circuitry of the
appliance. In the instances where the appliance is a refrigerator, the wire
harness may be part of
a refrigerator manifold that is configured to receive a water filter. In this
regard, the electrical
connection component or printed circuit board may be located on the exterior
of the water filter
and connected to the circuitry of the water filter. When the water filter is
inserted into the
manifold, the wire harness engages the printed circuit board in order to
establish an electrical
connection between the circuitry of the refrigerator and the circuitry of the
water filter.
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64
In one or more embodiments, the electrical communication between contacts 822
and printed
circuit board 660 may be used as part of an electronic authentication system
fora filter housing or
cartridge assembly, such as filter housing assembly 600. In such embodiments,
the filter housing
of the filter cartridge may further include a memory device embedded therein,
such as a microchip
or an integrated circuit, which includes a unique identifier associated with
the filter cartridge, such
that circuitry associated with the filter base may be used to determine, based
on the unique
identifier, whether the filter cartridge is a valid or authentic OEM (Original
Engineering
Manufacturer) filter cartridge by electronic authentication, or for
determining other criteria
associated with the filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media in a
replaceable filter cartridge
has reached the end of its useful life.
It is envisioned that embodiments of the present invention may be disposed in
a refrigerator 900
(e.g., within the refrigerator cabinet 914) as shown in Fig. 31. The output of
the filter assembly
may be selectively coupled to a water dispenser or an ice dispenser 950. The
water source to the
refrigerator would be in fluid communication with filter base 100 or filter
base 1000, and
prohibited from flowing when filter housing assembly 200 or 600 is removed
from filter base
100, 1000. Shutoff plugs in stanchions 1101arb or 1001arb seal fluid flow
until filter housing
assembly 200, 600 is inserted in filter base 100, 1000. Upon insertion, fluid
would flow to the
filter housing assembly and filter water would be returned from the filter
housing assembly.
All parts of the filter housing assembly 200, 600 and filter base 100, 1000
may be made using
molded plastic parts according to processes known in the art. The filter media
may be made from
known filter materials such as carbon, activated carbons, malodorous carbon,
porous ceramics
and the like. The filter media, which may be employed in the filter housing of
the instant
invention, includes a wide variety of filter media capable of reducing one or
more harmful
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64a
contaminants from water entering the filter housing apparatus. Representative
of the filter media
employable in the filter housing include those found in U.S. Patent Nos.
6,872,311, 6,835,311,
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6,797,167, 6,630,016, 5,331,037, and 5,147,722_ In addition, the filter
composition disclosed in
the following Published Applications may be employed as the filter media: US
2005/0051487
and US 2005/0011827.
The filter assembly is preferably mounted on a surface in proximity to a
source of water. The
$ mounting means are also preferably in close proximity to the use of the
filtered water produced
by the filter housing apparatus.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction
with specific
embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and
variations will be apparent
to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is
therefore contemplated that
10 the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications
and variations as falling
within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
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