WATER FILTER CARTRIDGE WITH AIR CONDUCTION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water filter cartridge, with a housing and a flow path for air for ventilating a water tank storing water to be processed by the water filter cartridge. The latter is distinguished in that shut-off means are provided for the flow path for air, preferably in the form of a valve or a membrane.

Claims

1. Water filter cartridge (1), with a housing (2) and a flow path (3) for air (4) for ventilating a water-storing water tank which feeds the water filter cartridge, characterized in that shut-off means (14) are provided for the flow path (3) for air (4).

2. Water filter cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the shut-off means (14) are designed in the form of a valve (15).

3. Water filter cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shut-off means (14) are designed in the form of a membrane.

4. Water filter cartridge according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that securing means (19) and/or resetting means (20) are formed for the shut-off means (14).

5. Water filter cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that the securing means (19) and/or resetting means (20) have elastic properties.

6. Water filter cartridge according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the securing means (19) and/or resetting means (20) comprise a spring element.

7. Water filter cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that opening means (21) are provided for the shut-off means (14), and/or in that the shut-off means (14) can be opened via tank-side opening means (21), in particular via tank-closure-side opening means or opening means on the cartridge connecting part.

8. Water filter cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opening means (21) are designed in the form of a structure (22) transmitting pressure mechanically.

9. Water filter cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the opening means (21) are designed in the form of a tappet (23).

10. Water filter cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path (3) has a first water barrier (27), preferably in the form of a blow-off opening (28) which particularly preferably has a clear width <6 mm and >0.5 mm, in particular 1 mm0.25 mm.

11. Water filter cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that the first water barrier (27) comprises an air-collecting chamber (32) which preferably has a cross-section structure of annular design.

12. Water filter cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path (3) comprises a first directing element (33) for directing the air (4), preferably in the form of a tubular structure which particularly preferably has a portion of conical design along the flow path.

13. Water filter cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path (3) has a second water barrier (34), preferably in the form of a portion of the flow path that has an abruptly reduced conduit cross section in relation to a portion of the flow path that is formed upstream therefrom in the flow direction during operation.

14. Water filter cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shut-off means for the flow path for air are designed in order to be deactivated when the water filter cartridge is connected to the tank.

15. Water filter cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shut-off means is designed to be opened via a structure transmitting pressure mechanically when the water filter cartridge is connected to the water tank.

Description

FIGURES

[0033] Further advantages and details are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic illustrations in the figures. In detail:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows schematically a sectional illustration along a longitudinal section through a water filter cartridge according to the invention according to a first operating mode with a flow path for air for ventilating a closed water tank shown therein (double arrow) and the flow profile for water to be filtered by the water filter cartridge (single arrows),

[0035] FIG. 2 likewise shows schematically a sectional illustration of a filter cartridge according to the invention,

[0036] FIG. 3 in turn shows schematically a sectional illustration along a longitudinal section through a water filter cartridge according to the invention according to a second operating mode,

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a horizontal section through the water filter cartridge according to III in FIG. 1,

[0038] FIGS. 5 and 6 in turn show by way of example and schematically a water filter cartridge with an alternative embodiment of a shut-off device for the flow path for ventilating a closed water tank (open FIG. 5 and closed FIG. 6) and

[0039] FIGS. 7 and 8 show two different operating modes for the water filter cartridge, in which the latter is inserted in FIG. 7 in a tank which is closed in an air-tight manner and which, according to the bird bath principle, outputs water processed by the water filter cartridge, wherein air for ventilating the tank flows through the flow path for air for ventilating the tank through the cartridge into the tank, whereas, in the illustration of FIG. 8, the flow path for air is closed and the tank is ventilated from above the water and thus ensures pressure equalization, and therefore the water has to flow to the outlet through the filter bed located in the water filter cartridge, and

[0040] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further exemplary embodiment of a water filter cartridge modified in relation to FIGS. 1-3.

[0041] Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows a water filter cartridge 1 with a housing 2 and a flow path 3 for air 4 (double arrows) for ventilating a water tank (not illustrated) which stores water 5 to be processed by the water filter cartridge and is closed in an air-tight manner. The water filter cartridge 1 can be arranged on the closure cover of a filling opening of the water tank by means of a connection 6 in such a manner that, after the filled water tank is closed with the closure cover, said water filter cartridge is located in the interior of the water tank which is closed in an air-tight manner.

[0042] In order to supply the device which further treats the water stored in the water tank, for example an air humidifier, the tank is rotated and placed onto a corresponding receptacle of the device. In the process, a tank closure 7 opens the tank outlet opening (not illustrated). Water thereupon emerges from the water tank and air for ventilating the water tank enters the flow path 3 through the same opening until the pressure in the interior of the water tank is equalized. This is the case whenever a beverage vessel, which is fed by the tank water, of a water level regulating mechanism based on the bird bath principle is filled to an extent that no more air can penetrate under the relevant partition for ventilating the tank system into the water tank which is otherwise closed in an air-tight manner.

[0043] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the connection 6 has a screw thread by means of which the water filter cartridge can be screwed on until a seal 8 which is arranged on the bottom of the housing 2 in a manner lying radially outside said water filter cartridge seals the tank interior via the housing 2 of the water filter cartridge 1 in an air- and water-tight manner in relation to the tank outlet.

[0044] As soon as air 4 then flows, said air rises in the flow path 3, and therefore, in order to produce the pressure equalization, the water 5 to be processed by the water filter cartridge is forced to penetrate the water filter cartridge 1 via the inlet openings 9 in the filter housing 2 of said water filter cartridge and to flow through the filtering medium 12 and, in the process, to be processed by the latter. Said filtering medium is preferably realized in the form of ion exchange resin and can particular advantageously be supplemented by a further filtering material arranged in series in the throughflow of the water to be processed, for example activated carbon (not illustrated here for simplification reasons). In the embodiment illustrated by way of example here according to FIG. 1, a partition 13 is arranged in order to extend the filtering section within the housing 2, and therefore, as a result, two filter chambers, filter chamber 10 in the upward flow mode and filter chamber 11 in the downward flow mode, are formed for the water to be processed.

[0045] According to the invention, shut-off means 14 for the flow path 3 for air 4 are formed on the water filter cartridge 1. An air- and water-tight closure of the filter cartridge can therefore be realized. Said closure means, as illustrated in FIG. 1, are preferably designed in the form of a valve 15.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 2, said valve 15 comprises a valve seat 16 formed on the housing 2, a valve body 17 and a seal 18 which is realized here by way of example in the form of a sealing ring.

[0047] The shut-off means 14 provided according to the invention open up the possibility, by means of the thus possible air- and water-tight closure of the water filter cartridge, of unexpectedly operating, in a likewise functionally capable manner, a supply concept with the hydraulic functionality for processing water which is stored in a tank closed in an air-tight manner and is removed therefrom by means of the bird bath principle, even in a supply concept which is completely different physically from this in the form of an open water tank.

[0048] This is because the flow path provided for the flow of the water to be processed remains untouched by the effect on the flow path 3 for air 4. A bypass, which is otherwise possible by means of the flow path 3 to the filter path through the filter chambers 10, 11, for the water stored in the tank is therefore reliably closed (cf. FIG. 3).

[0049] A type of filter cartridge specified for a certain water processing requirement can therefore be provided in an advantageous manner for different devices which, although they pursue the same use purpose, for example air humidification, with a filtering medium specially coordinated thereto, are based, however, on different hydraulic active principlesthe bird bath principle with the water storage tank closed in an air-tight manner and/or with actively regulated removal of water, for example with a controlled valve and/or with a suction pump, with a water tank which is open with respect to the supply of air.

[0050] By the provision of a securing means 19 which, for example, can increase the opening resistance for the shut-off means 14, an inadvertent opening of the shut-off means 14 for the flow path 3 for air can be achieved in a manner increasing the reliability of said function. By the provision of resetting means 20, the shut-off means 14 can be activated again in the deactivated state, i.e. when the flow path 3 is open, in a manner automatically resetting the operating mode of the water filter cartridge, and the flow path 3 for air can be closed. By way of example for this purpose, FIG. 3 illustrates a resetting means 20 having elastic properties, in the form of a spring element clamped between two stops. The primary stress prevailing in the resetting means in the clamped state keeps the valve in the closed position. In the open state of the valve, according to the illustration of FIG. 2, the spring is compressed and, with a route correspondingly opened up, exerts a resetting action in the valve such that the latter returns again into the position according to the illustration of FIG. 3.

[0051] By the provision of opening means 21 for the shut-off means 14, the water filter cartridge 1 can be automatically reset to the operating mode for use in a closed water tankthe bird bath principle. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, said opening means are realized in the form of a mechanical structure 22 which is realized here in particular in the form of a tappet 23.

[0052] Said tappet is oriented along a connecting line between the connection 6 of the water filter cartridge 1 and the shut-off means 14, which is designed in the form of a valve 15, for the flow path for air. In FIGS. 1 and 2, in the region of the connection 6, an end side 24 of the tappet 6 lines up on an end side of a closure element V of the water tank (not illustrated) which is closed in an air-tight manner with the exception of the connecting opening. In the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, said closure element V presses the tappet 23 upward counter to the spring force of the securing means and of the resetting means 20, which means are realized in this exemplary embodiment by means of the spring element depicted in the form of a spiral spring, until the valve 15 is open. Said spiral spring firstly rests in a supporting manner on a tappet shoulder 25 and is supported at its opposite axial end on a bearing 26 in such a manner that, when the tappet is exposed, the valve 15 is closed, as in the illustration according to FIG. 3.

[0053] As shown in the illustration of FIG. 2, the flow path 14 for air has a first water barrier 27. In the present example, said water barrier is designed in the form of a blow-off opening 28 (see FIG. 3) which particularly preferably has a clear width of <6 mm and >0.5 mm, in particular preferably 1 mm1.25 mm. The blow-off opening 28 is designed as a recess on an annular shoulder, which is formed standing radially outwards on the tappet 23, upstream of the valve seat 16 in the flow direction. A cylindrical sleeve 30 which protrudes approximately centrally downwards from the cover 31 of the housing 2 surrounds said annular shoulder 29, and therefore an air-collecting chamber 32 is thereby formed. Air entering the water filter cartridge from the connection 6 can collect in said air-collecting chamber and form an air cushion. Owing to the surface tension inherent to the water and to the corresponding geometrical dimensions, no water coming up from the outside to the blow-off opening 28 from the water tank can penetrate through the blow-off opening 28 into the flow path 3 for air for ventilating the water tank. By means of the design of the air-collecting chamber 32 with an annular cross-sectional structure which is realized by the fact that the tappet 23 is guided centrally through the chamber, the sealing effect by means of the air collected in the form of an air cushion upstream of the blow-off opening 28, as viewed in the flow direction, can be expanded, in a manner supporting the sealing effect, at least to the space region which is available corresponding to the geometrical structures in this regard within the sleeve 30 when the valve 15 is open.

[0054] In order to permit a defined guidance of the flow path 14, in a furthermore advantageous manner a first directing element 33 is provided for directing the air 4 rising here from the connection 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown here as a tubular structure. In order to prevent water from rising to form a water column, said structure is of conical design at least in sections. The cross-sectional reduction in the tube runs here in a direction from the connection 6 towards the point at which the sleeve 30 is inserted.

[0055] For further prevention of the rising of water into the air-collecting chamber 32, the flow path 14 has a second water barrier 34. The latter is realized by a portion of the flow path which has a conduit cross section which is abruptly reduced in relation to a portion formed upstream thereof in the flow direction.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 3, said second water barrier is realized by the narrowing of stepped design in the cross section of the flow path between the first directing element for air and the sleeve 30 which is inserted into said narrowing. Radially outer bevels on the end side of the sleeve 30 additionally form a flow resistance for water collecting within the first directing element 33 for air. Said water therefore cannot migrate upward beyond said barrier and in the most unfavorable case cause a breakthrough of water at the blow-off opening.

[0057] The relevant water drop, on reaching a certain size, runs downwards for gravimetric reasons in the direction of the connection 6 on the inner wall of the directing element 33 for directing the air 4. In order to assist said run-off property, a second directing element 36 for discharging water can be arranged in a furthermore advantageous manner. In the embodiment illustrated, this is preferably realized as a run-off rib. This particularly advantageously has a vertically oriented portion in the operating position of the water filter cartridge in order to bring about a run-off function as early as possible for water droplets adhering to said portion.

[0058] In order to prevent water droplets from entering the air-collecting chamber 32, the run-off rib ends upstream of the air-collecting chamber, as viewed in the flow direction. In the direction of the connection 6, the structure of said run-off rib can be used as a bearing 26 for supporting the securing means 19 or the resetting means 20 for the shut-off means 14. The formation of a plurality of run-off ribs 23 additionally permits a support of the securing and/or resetting means, the support comprising a plurality of bearing points 26, in addition to the number of run-off ribs formed in the flow path 3 in a manner corresponding to an increased run-off effect.

[0059] By means of the formation of a water inlet opening in the lower tenth of the vertical extent of the housing 2 of the water filter cartridge 1, with reference to the operating situation, it can be ensured that the water tank concerned can be very readily emptied. When the water inlet opening 9 is arranged directly level with the seal 8, or lying at a level above the latter to such an extent that the water to be processed by the filter cartridge can still flow under the housing of the filter cartridge, even complete emptying of the water tank concerned is ensured.

[0060] The advantages are therefore associated with this water filter cartridge according to the invention that the air for the pressure equalization can rise unobstructed from the device in the tank when a bird bath principle water removal regulation is involved. The water 5 can pass here only via the filtration route of the water filter into the device connected to the tank. During the filtering operation for the water, the ventilation route for the tank through the water filter is closed since the water cannot penetrate through the blow-off opening 32.

[0061] By means of the shut-off means 14 according to the invention for closing the flow path 3 for air 4 for ventilating a closed water tank, the water filter cartridge 1 can also be used for devices which are equipped with a water tank which is open, with respect to the supply of air, i.e. operate with a completely different system, when considered hydrostatically, than the bird bath principle water level regulations.

[0062] FIG. 4 only shows a detail of a sectional illustration according to a horizontal section III in FIG. 2. Centrally in the middle, the section through the tappet 23 is depicted as a circular surface 23. Said section is annularly bordered radially to the outside by the annular shoulder 29 in which, by way of example, the blow-off opening 28 is depicted as an outlet opening for the air flowing out of the air-collecting chamber 32 in order to ventilate the tank. The annular shoulder 29 is in turn annularly surrounded by the first directing element 33 for the air flow, which directing element is realized here, for example, as a tubular structure, the end-side sectional surface of which is identified by 33. The ring 33 depicted lying radially outside the latter is produced by the conical design and of the directing element 33 and constitutes the outer surface thereof in top view. The regions 38 depicted in the manner of segments symbolize by way of example the sieve-like outlets 38 out of the filter chamber 11 toward the water outlet of the water filter cartridge 1, which water outlet is realized by the connection 6. The segment-like depictions with the number 39 depict non-permeable regions of the structure in this regard of the water filter 1.

[0063] By means of the ribs 37 which are arranged directed radially outward from the tappet 23, the tappet 23 can be supported laterally and can therefore be guided from closed to open, or vice versa, during the change of state of the valve 15. And/or the blow-off opening 28 are laterally bounded in the flow direction (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a water filter cartridge 1 with an alternative embodiment of a shut-off means 14 in the form of a membrane 40. The latter is connected by way of example via a fixing means 41 to the outer side of the housing 2. In order to visualize the venting function of the flow path 3 for air 4 for ventilating a water tank storing water to be processed by the water filter cartridge, the membrane 40 is illustrated raised on the side opposite the fixing means 41. An arrow drawn between the membrane 40 and the housing 2 symbolizes the emergence of air from the flow path 3.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows the same embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, but with a closed shut-off means 14 in the form of a membrane 40 which rests in a manner sealing all the way around on the outer side of the housing of the water filter cartridge 1. In addition, a securing means in the form of a clip 42 is provided here. This can be realized, for example, in the form of an adhesive film which is particularly preferably connected to the housing 2 in a manner completely covering the membrane 40. Additional protection for sealing the flow path 3 can therefore be provided for the use case in which the water filter cartridge can be inserted in a water tank which is hydraulically open at the top. In order to use the water filter cartridge 1 in a hydraulically closed water tank operating according to the bird bath principle, the clip 42 can be removed. The water filter cartridge 1 then functions as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0066] In order to explain the operating methods, Figure shows an embodiment of a water tank 43 which is completely closed hydraulically with the exception of the outlet opening. This water tank 43 is ventilated in accordance with the bird bath principle by air 4 being supplied, in accordance with the arrows depicted, through the flow path 3 in the water filter cartridge 1 inserted in the interior of the water tank 43. For reasons of clarity, both tank and water filter cartridge have been illustrated merely schematically with the essential aspects with regard to conduction of the air and of the water to be processed.

[0067] In contrast to the embodiment of the water tank 43 in FIG. 7, in FIG. 8 the water tank 44 is hydraulically open and is therefore illustrated symbolically at the top without a cover or the like. The shut-off means 14 in the water filter cartridge 1 are shown here in the closed state, also only symbolically here in turn for the sake of simpler illustration. In this second operating case, the water flow of the water 5 kept in the tank 44 can also flow only via the filtering section which is arranged in the interior of the water filter cartridge 1 and is in the form of the filter chambers 10, 11 since, in particular, a passage through the flow path 3 for air and ventilation of a closed water tank is closed by the shut-off means 14. When water 5 is correspondingly removed at the outlet of the water tank 44, the water 5 kept therein can easily flow thereafter since air 4 can penetrate from the outside into the tank 44 through the latter, which is not closed, and therefore no retaining vacuum can arise in the interior of the tank.

[0068] The water filter cartridge 1 according to the invention can therefore be optionally operated for a hydraulically closed water tank 43 operating according to the bird bath principle in accordance with the example in FIG. 7, and also when the shut-off means 14 is activated and therefore the flow path 3 is closedfor a hydraulically open water tank 44 for the second operating method.

[0069] FIG. 9 shows by way of example and schematically a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a water filter cartridge 1 that is modified in relation to FIGS. 1-3. Said water filter cartridge has an indentation 45 in the end-side head region of the housing 2, for example in the form of a crater, and ends with an indentation edge 46 in the axial extent of the housing. The indentation 45 forms an air trap. In the latter, when the passage for the air 4 for ventilating the water tank is open, air emerging in the form of small air bubbles can collect to form a large bubble until the latter experiences a correspondingly greater buoyancy force than the adhesive force by adhesion to the outer side of the water filter cartridge and the water pressure pressing against the boundary layer of the water drop. By this means, an additional sealing effect can be provided against water which is to be filtered not penetrating the water filter cartridge in accordance with the operation, and therefore against the latter being bypassed.

[0070] By means of a rounded portion 47 which merges from the indentation edge 46 to a sleeve-shaped, for example cylindrical, portion of the housing 2 on the outer side thereof, an increase in size of the usable tank volume can be achieved by the corresponding reduction in the outer volume of the filter cartridge. In addition, by this means, an installation aid on the basis of improved ergonomic properties when holding the water filter cartridge can be provided.

[0071] The indentation edge 46 surrounding the indentation furthermore brings about mechanical protection of the sealing means for the ventilation air 4. At least against the action of flat objects. Thus, for example if the cartridge is inadvertently dropped, when the water filter cartridge strikes against, for example, a table surface or the floor, the sealing means remain protected even when a valve is open and the valve tappet protrudes.

[0072] FIG. 10 shows a top view of a water filter cartridge according to the illustration of FIG. 9 at the section height X. The outer boundary depicts the housing 2 of the water filter cartridge 1. The blow-off opening 28 from which symbolically a double arrow 4 for the air ventilating the water tank during operation leads is depicted centrally in the middle.

[0073] The remaining elements shown correspond analogously to those in the illustration of FIG. 4. The reference signs additionally depicted in FIG. 9 also correspond to the features depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0074] 1 Water filter cartridge [0075] 2 Housing [0076] 3 Flow path [0077] 4 Air [0078] 5 Water [0079] 6 Connection [0080] 7 Tank closure [0081] 8 Seal [0082] 9 Inlet opening [0083] 10 Filter chamber [0084] 11 Filter chamber [0085] 12 Filtering medium [0086] 13 Partition [0087] 14 Shut-off means [0088] 15 Valve [0089] 16 Valve seat [0090] 17 Valve body [0091] 18 Seal [0092] 19 Securing means [0093] 20 Resetting means [0094] 21 Opening means [0095] 22 Mechanical structure [0096] 23 Tappet [0097] 24 End side [0098] 25 Tappet shoulder [0099] 26 Bearing [0100] 27 First water barrier [0101] 28 Blow-off opening [0102] 29 Annular shoulder [0103] 30 Sleeve [0104] 31 Cover [0105] 32 Air-collecting chamber [0106] 33 First directing element for air [0107] 33 Sectional surface [0108] 33 Ring [0109] 34 Second water barrier [0110] 35 Narrowing [0111] 36 Second directing element for water [0112] 37 Rib [0113] 38 Sieve [0114] 39 Covering [0115] 40 Membrane [0116] 41 Fixing means [0117] 42 Clip [0118] 43 Water tank (hydraulically closed) [0119] 44 Water tank (hydraulically open) [0120] 45 Indentation [0121] 46 Indentation edge [0122] 47 Rounded portion