Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02291303 1999-11-30
MULTIPLE DISCHARGE WATER FAUCET
WITH SELF-CONTAINED FILTER
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to faucets having an integral water filter.
Although the invention will be described in connection with faucets of the
type customarily
found in a kitchen environment, and which have multiple water discharges, it
has wider
application. The faucet may have an elongated spout with a stream discharge
and a filtered
water discharge. The invention is equally applicable to a faucet wand which
may be
removed from the base and directed at any portion of the sink. The faucet
includes a filter
to provide filtered water for the filtered water discharge. The filter may be
formed of
carbon granules and is positioned within the faucet housing and forms a
portion of the water
flow path from an input hose connection to the described multiple water
discharges.
The faucet includes a simply constructed, reliable valve element movable in
response to a manual control accessible from the exterior of the faucet. The
movable manual
control is spring-biased to a position in which it normally closes the
filtered water flow path.
Operation of the manual control moves the valve element to a position in which
it opens the
filtered water flow path and closes the unfiltered water flow path. The valve
element will
remain in such a position, due to water pressure, until the water is turned
off and the valve
element is returned by the spring to its normal position.
The faucet includes a visual readout indicative of filter condition and
operable
only at such times as the water is flowing through the filtered water
discharge. The display
includes two light emitting diodes, each of a different color. Either one of
the light emitting
CA 02291303 2003-05-14
diodes may be operated by the electrical circuit forming a pan of the faucet,
or both such
light emitting diodes may be simultaneously operated, with the result that the
display
provides a readout of three different colors indicative of the filter
condition and of a need
to replace the filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This present invention relates to faucets for use in a kitchen environment and
particularly to a faucet which provides both a filtered water discharge and an
unfiltered
water discharge.
A primary of the invention is a faucet as described which has an integral
water
filter and a display for indicating filter condition.
Another purpose is a faucet as described in which the display includes a pair
of
light emitting diodes, each of a different color, and related circuit elements
capable of
displaying either one or both of the LEDs to provide three different
indications of filter
condition.
Another purpose is a faucet as described including a reliable, simply
constructed
control valve which functions to direct water to either the filtered water
discharge or the
unfiltered water discharge.
Another purpose is a faucet as described in which the control valve includes a
valve element, which will close the unfiltered water flow path in response to
a manual
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CA 02291303 1999-11-30
control button and will remain in such a closed position until the water is
turned off.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a faucet having both a filtered
water and unfiltered water discharge and an integral water filter, with the
filtered water flow
path being exteriorly of the filter and the filtered water flow path being
within the water
filter.
Another purpose of the invention is a faucet as described which will not
function as designed unless a filter is correctly installed.
Another purpose of the invention is a filter for the use described which
includes a plug normally closing a part of the unfiltered water flow path.
Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings
wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view of the spout assembly, in part section;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the spout head assembly;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of the head valve;
Fig. 4 is an end view of the main valve body;
Fig. 5 is a section of the main valve body along plane 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a section of the valve spool indicating the filtered water outlet
holes;
and
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the display circuit.
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CA 02291303 1999-11-30
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will be described in connection with a kitchen faucet
and
one which has an elongated spout extending over the recessed water chambers of
the sink.
The concepts of the invention are equally applicable to a pullout wand which
is currently
common in kitchen faucets.
In Fig. l, the faucet has an outer housing 10 which may be formed of multiple
housing sections, some of which may be sonically welded into a unitary body.
The housing
has a hub 12 which will be mounted to the sink deck and has a cavity 14 within
which
will be positioned a control valve for providing hot and cold water to the
filtered water
10 control valve in the spout. A handle will be positioned on top of the hub
12 for manipulation
of the valve element positioned within the cavity 14. Water from the cavity 14
will enter an
elongated tubular portion 16 of the housing 10 through an inlet port 18.
Positioned within the tubular portion 16 of the housing 10 is a water filter
20
which may conveniently contain carbon granules or any other suitable filter
media which is
effective to remove the desired impurities from the water and provide suitably
filtered
drinking water for the filtered water discharge. The housing 10 includes a
head 22 having a
stream discharge 24 directed downwardly toward the sink and a filtered water
discharge 26,
again directed downwardly toward the sink. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention,
the head 22 may be manually removed relative to the tubular portion 16 so as
to provide
access to change the filter 20 when it is time for renewal.
As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, water entering the tubular portion 16
through the port 18 will flow about the exterior of the filter 20. A portion
of that water will
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CA 02291303 1999-11-30
flow through the filter 20 into a filtered water flow path conduit 28 and then
through a
passage 30 in a filter outlet cap 32. The cap 32 is an integral part of the
filter, as is the
input cap 34, illustrated in Fig. 1, with the input and output caps together
holding the filter
block 36 into a single unitary replaceable filter.
Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the details of the faucet head 22 and the
valve
mechanism which controls the flow of filtered water and unfiltered water to
the respective
discharges 26 and 24. Positioned within the head 22 is a valve body 40 which
has a tubular
passage 42 in communication with the filtered water outlet 30 of end cap 32
through a sealed
filter projection 31. Passage 42 has an outlet 44 which is in communication
with a flow
restrictor 46 which will limit the flow of filtered water through the faucet.
The outlet 44 is
not in axial alignment with flow restrictor 46, with such an off axis
relationship providing
flow dynamics that quiets water flow through the faucet. A flow retainer 48
holds the flow
restrictor in position and has an opening 50 which communicates with the flow
restrictor and
with a cavity 52 in the valve body front 51. A reciprocally movable valve
element 54 is
positioned in cavity 52. Thus, filtered water from the filtered water flow
path passageway
28 will pass through the described passages into the cavity 52 and into an
interior chamber
56 of the valve element 54. The chamber 56 has a plurality of openings 58
which, in the
Fig. 2 position, are blocked from discharging filtered water into a filtered
water passageway
60 which communicates with the filtered water discharge 26. The valve element
54 has a
head 62 which is attached by a snap-on connection 63 to a button 64 forming
the manual
operator for effecting a discharge of filtered water from the faucet. A coil
spring 66 biases
the button 64 and, thus the valve element 54, toward the default or release
position shown in
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Fig. 2.
The valve element 54 has a seal 68 surrounding its head which seals against a
portion 70 of the valve body front 51. The head 62 has a tapered portion 72
which directly
overlies the passage 60, in the Fig. 2 position, and there is a seal ring 74
at the junction of
the tapered portion 72 and the larger body portion of the valve element 54. In
the Fig. 2
position the seal 74 prevents filtered water from within chamber 56 from
flowing through the
openings 58 and reaching the filtered water discharge passage 60. The valve
element 54 may
have a plurality of seals 76, which may be quad seals, which seals extend
about its periphery
and are in sealing contact with portions of the valve body front 51 to prevent
leakage of
filtered water from outside of the valve element 54.
Fig. 3 illustrates the position of the valve when the button 64 has been
depressed to provide for filtered water discharge. Note that the valve element
54 has been
moved inwardly, compressing spring 66, with the result that seal 74 has moved
away from a
surface 78 on the valve body portion 70 so as to open communication between
the openings
58 and a chamber 80 within the valve body portion 70 and exteriorly of the
valve element
54. Thus, filtered water can now flow from chamber 56 through the openings 58
into the
chamber 80 and then down through the filtered water passage 60 to the filtered
water
discharge 26. As will be described hereinafter, the faucet will remain in a
filtered water
discharge position, once the valve element has been moved to the Fig. 3
position, until water
is shut off.
The path for unfiltered water begins at the exterior of the filter, in a
cylindrical passageway 82, which is outside of the filter and within the
tubular portion 16 of
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the faucet housing. Water will flow from passage 82 into a cylindrical passage
84 in the
valve body 40. From passage 84 water flows into a cavity 86 which is on the
exterior of the
valve body front 51. From cavity 86 the water flows into an annular recess 96
and then
through a circumferential opening 98 to passage 100 which is directly above
the aerator 102
forming the unfiltered water discharge 24.
Fig. 2 illustrates the normal position of the faucet when there is no
operation
of the button 64 to provide for a filtered water discharge. Water will flow
through the
described passageways, cavities, recesses and chambers until it reaches the
aerator 102.
When button 64 is pressed, moving the valve element 54 from the Fig. 2
position to the Fig. 3 position, a land 104 having a seal ring 106 is moved so
that the seal
contacts a tapered surface 108 on a portion of the valve front 51, shutting
off the flow of
water through passage 98 and to the aerator 102.
When the valve has moved to this position, unfiltered water within the annular
cavity 86 will exert pressure against land 104 and seal 106 which will hold
the valve element
in the Fig. 3 position. The pressure exerted by the water is sufficient to
overcome the return
force of spring 66. Thus, the faucet will remain in the filtered water
position until it is
turned off, at which time the return spring 66 will move the valve element
back to the Fig. 2
unfiltered water discharge position, since there is no longer pressure to hold
the valve
element in the Fig. 3 or filtered water position.
Filter end cap 32 has a cylindrical projection or plug 95 which is of a size
and
shape to be positioned within a passage 90 in valve body 40. Passage 90
connects with a
passage 92 in valve body front 51, with passage 92 connecting to aerator 102
through
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passage 100. If a filter is positioned within the faucet, no unfiltered water
will flow from the
cylindrical passage 82 outside of the filter to passage 90 and thus to the
unfiltered water
discharge 24. Plug 95 and its seal 97 prevent such flow. However, if no filter
is present,
unfiltered water will follow this flow path, and if button 64 is operated,
unfiltered water will
flow from both stream discharge 24 and filtered water discharge 26. When
button 64 is
released, there will be no filtered water flow, but unfiltered water will
continue to be
discharged. Since this is not normal operation of the faucet, it will alert
the user that no
filter is within the faucet.
There is a printed circuit board 112 which is mounted onto projections 114 on
the exterior of the valve body front 51, with the printed circuit board
holding the circuit
elements illustrated in Fig. 7. There is a battery tray 116 which holds a
battery 118 which is
connected by a contact 120 to the printed circuit board 112. There is a second
contact for
the battery which is not shown. A switch 122 is mounted on an extending arm
124 of the
button 64 and is positioned to close upon a contact 126 when the button is
moved from the
Fig. 2 position to the filtered water position of Fig. 3. Closure of switch
124 on contact 126
will connect battery power to the printed circuit board to illuminate the
light emitting diodes
powered by the battery. There is a light pipe 128 directly in alignment with a
pair of light
emitting diodes 130. The diodes will be illuminated under certain prescribed
conditions,
depending upon the remaining life of the filter.
The circuit of Fig. 7 includes a microprocessor 132 having an output
connected to a red LED 134 and a green LED 136. The microprocessor receives
power
from battery 118 when the momentary mechanical switch 122 is closed. The
microprocessor
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connection to battery power is maintained by a MOSFET switch 138 which is in
parallel with
switch 122 and which will be engaged as soon as the mechanical switch 122
applies battery
power to the microprocessor. The use of the parallel combination of a MOSFET
switch and
a mechanical switch is effective to extend battery life. As 'soon as the
mechanical switch 122
is closed, MOSFET switch 138 will be closed and the microprocessor 132 will
determine
when the MOSFET switch will be open. Thus, the time of application of power is
determined by the microprocessor and not by the application of the mechanical
switch. Also
connected to microprocessor 132 is a test port 140 and a non-volatile memory
142. The
microprocessor 132, in addition to controlling circuit operation, provides
data storage relative
to use of the faucet filter. Such data may include the available life of the
filter currently in
use, the number of switch activations to provide a filtered water discharge,
and the usage of
prior filters within that specific faucet.
The circuit of Fig. 7 is effective to selectively activate the red and green
LEDs
134 and 136 to indicate filter condition. The microprocessor will control the
illumination of
the LEDs and it is only operable when the mechanical switch 122 is initially
closed by
activation of button 64. Thus, the display will only be illuminated when
filtered water is
being discharged by the faucet. Whenever the circuit is activated as
described, filter use and
thus remaining filter life, is determined by a measurement of the time that
the
microprocessor is powered. The microprocessor accumulates the total time that
it is powered
and this accumulation of time will provide an indication of remaining filter
life.
As an example of one operating method, and assuming that the filter has a
capacity of 200 gals. and that this is represented by 400 wins. of usable
filter life, when the
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filter is initially inserted into the faucet, and the button 64 is operated,
both green and red
LEDs 136 and 134 will be active, providing a yellow display signal from the
light pipe 128
for a period of five minutes. This will be an alternating display, as it will
pulse between a
pure green display and a yellow display when both LEDs are activated. After
the first five
minutes, subsequent activation of the display will have only a pulsing green
display from
LED 136, as it will be the only LED powered by the microprocessor. This
condition will
prevail, whenever the filter is operated, until there is a remaining filter
life of 32 mins. At
this time and for the next 16 mins. of filter use, both red LED 134 and green
LED 136 will
be pulsed when the display is operative. When 16 mins. of filter life remain,
and the display
is powered, only the red LED 134 will be pulsed. This condition will remain,
until there are
zero minutes of filter life remaining, after which any activation of the
filter will result in a
more rapidly pulsing red display.
The above is only an example of a possible sequence of displays from the
filter. What is important is that the filter only be operable when there is a
filter water
discharge, to limit battery usage, and that the filter readily provide to the
user an indication
of remaining filter life.
Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described
herein, it should be realized that there may be many modifications,
substitutions and
alterations thereto.
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