CA2380543A1 - Water filter cartridge replacement system for a refrigerator - Google Patents
Water filter cartridge replacement system for a refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2380543A1 CA2380543A1 CA 2380543 CA2380543A CA2380543A1 CA 2380543 A1 CA2380543 A1 CA 2380543A1 CA 2380543 CA2380543 CA 2380543 CA 2380543 A CA2380543 A CA 2380543A CA 2380543 A1 CA2380543 A1 CA 2380543A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- filter
- ice maker
- volume
- valve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Abstract
A water filtering system for a refrigerator determines a need for a filter change by timing the period of actuation of at least one valve used to regulate the flow of filtered water to both a water dispenser and an ice maker. Based on a known flow rate, a volume of filtered water associated with the duration of valve actuation is calculated. A summing device determines an accumulated, filtered water volume. When the accumulated, filtered water volume reaches or exceeds a threshold value, an indicator is used to signal that the water filter needs to be replaced. As the water filtering system of the invention is capable of being operated without a water filter in place, a switch assembly is incorporated to sense the presence of the water filter and the system only senses the valve actuation time when the filter is in place. In addition, provisions are made to reset the accumulated, filtered water volume upon replacement of the water filter.
Claims (18)
1. In a refrigerator including a water dispenser and an ice maker, a system for determining and indicating a need to replace a water filter comprising:
a mounting head including a water inlet connected to a fresh water supply, a water outlet, and a connection port, fluidly interposed between the water inlet and the water outlet, adapted to receive a replaceable water filter, said water outlet being fluidly interconnected to each of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a water filter removably attached to the connection port of the mounting head;
at least one valve, fluidly interposed between the water outlet of the mounting head and each of the water dispenser and the ice maker, which can be actuated to provide a controlled flow of filtered water to a select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a control unit for actuating the at least one valve in order to direct the controlled flow of filtered water to the select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker, said control unit including a timing device for measuring a duration of actuation of the at least one valve, a volume calculating device for determining a volume of filtered water associated with the duration of actuation, and a summing device for maintaining an accumulated, filtered water volume; and an indicator, linked to the control unit, for signaling when the accumulated, filtered water volume reaches a threshold value and the water filter needs to be replaced.
a mounting head including a water inlet connected to a fresh water supply, a water outlet, and a connection port, fluidly interposed between the water inlet and the water outlet, adapted to receive a replaceable water filter, said water outlet being fluidly interconnected to each of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a water filter removably attached to the connection port of the mounting head;
at least one valve, fluidly interposed between the water outlet of the mounting head and each of the water dispenser and the ice maker, which can be actuated to provide a controlled flow of filtered water to a select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a control unit for actuating the at least one valve in order to direct the controlled flow of filtered water to the select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker, said control unit including a timing device for measuring a duration of actuation of the at least one valve, a volume calculating device for determining a volume of filtered water associated with the duration of actuation, and a summing device for maintaining an accumulated, filtered water volume; and an indicator, linked to the control unit, for signaling when the accumulated, filtered water volume reaches a threshold value and the water filter needs to be replaced.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one valve comprises a single solenoid valve having an inlet, connected to the water outlet of the mounting head, and first and second outlets leading to the water dispenser and the ice maker, respectively.
3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrical switching unit located at the mounting head, said switching unit detecting a presence or absence of the water filter on the mounting head.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the timing device only measures the duration of actuation of the at least one valve when the switching unit signals the presence of the water filter on the mounting head.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator includes a front panel portion at which the water dispenser is disposed, said indicator being constituted by an illuminating element provided on the front panel portion.
6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for resetting the summing device upon replacement of the water filter.
7. In a refrigerator including a water dispenser and an ice maker, a system for determining and indicating a need to replace a water filter comprising:
a mounting head including a water inlet connected to a fresh water supply, a water outlet, and a connection port, fluidly interposed between the water inlet and the water outlet , adapted to receive a replaceable water filter, said water outlet being fluidly interconnected to each of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a water filter removably attached to the connection port of the mounting head;
an electrical switching unit located at the mounting head, said switching unit detecting a presence or absence of the water filter on the mounting head;
at least one valve, fluidly interposed between the water outlet of the mounting head and each of the water dispenser and the ice maker, which can be actuated to provide a controlled flow of filtered water to a select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a control unit for actuating the at least one valve in order to direct the controlled flow of filtered water to the select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker, said control unit further accumulating an operating parameter of the system indicative of the amount of flow through the water filter, said control unit only accumulating the operating parameter when the electrical switching unit detects the presence of the water filter; and an indicator for signaling a need to replace the water filter based on the accumulated operating parameter.
a mounting head including a water inlet connected to a fresh water supply, a water outlet, and a connection port, fluidly interposed between the water inlet and the water outlet , adapted to receive a replaceable water filter, said water outlet being fluidly interconnected to each of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a water filter removably attached to the connection port of the mounting head;
an electrical switching unit located at the mounting head, said switching unit detecting a presence or absence of the water filter on the mounting head;
at least one valve, fluidly interposed between the water outlet of the mounting head and each of the water dispenser and the ice maker, which can be actuated to provide a controlled flow of filtered water to a select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
a control unit for actuating the at least one valve in order to direct the controlled flow of filtered water to the select one of the water dispenser and the ice maker, said control unit further accumulating an operating parameter of the system indicative of the amount of flow through the water filter, said control unit only accumulating the operating parameter when the electrical switching unit detects the presence of the water filter; and an indicator for signaling a need to replace the water filter based on the accumulated operating parameter.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one valve comprises a single solenoid valve having an inlet, connected to the water outlet of the mounting head, and first and second outlets leading to the water dispenser and the ice maker, respectively.
9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the refrigerator includes a front panel portion at which the water dispenser is disposed, said indicator being constituted by an illuminating element provided on the front panel portion.
10. The system according to claim 7, wherein said operating parameter is constituted by a duration of actuation of the at least one valve, the control unit including a timing device for measuring the duration of actuation of the at least one valve and a volume calculating device for determining a volume of filtered water associated with the duration of actuation.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit further includes a summing device for maintaining an accumulated, filtered water volume.
12. The system according to claim 7, further comprising: means for resetting the accumulated operating parameter upon replacement of the water filter.
13. A method of determining and indicating a need to replace a water filter of a refrigerator water flow system including a water dispenser and an ice maker comprising:
sensing an actuation of at least one flow control valve used to regulate a flow of filtered water to a desired one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
timing a duration of actuation of the at least one valve;
calculating a volume of filtered water associated with the duration of actuation;
adding the calculated volume of filtered water to an accumulated, filtered water volume;
comparing the accumulated, filtered water volume with a threshold value;
and indicating the need to replace the water filter when the accumulated, filtered water volume reaches the threshold value.
sensing an actuation of at least one flow control valve used to regulate a flow of filtered water to a desired one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
timing a duration of actuation of the at least one valve;
calculating a volume of filtered water associated with the duration of actuation;
adding the calculated volume of filtered water to an accumulated, filtered water volume;
comparing the accumulated, filtered water volume with a threshold value;
and indicating the need to replace the water filter when the accumulated, filtered water volume reaches the threshold value.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
sensing a presence of a water filter in fluid communication with the water dispenser and the ice maker; and timing the duration of actuation of the at least one valve only when the presence of the water filter is detected.
sensing a presence of a water filter in fluid communication with the water dispenser and the ice maker; and timing the duration of actuation of the at least one valve only when the presence of the water filter is detected.
15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: resetting the accumulated, filtered water volume upon replacement of the water filter.
16. A method of determining and indicating a need to replace a water filter of a refrigerator water flow system including a water dispenser and an ice maker comprising:
electrically sensing the presence or absence of a water filter;
accumulating an operating parameter indicative of the amount of water flowing through the system, only when the presence of the water filter is sensed;
and indicating the need to replace the water filter when the accumulated operating parameter reaches a threshold value.
electrically sensing the presence or absence of a water filter;
accumulating an operating parameter indicative of the amount of water flowing through the system, only when the presence of the water filter is sensed;
and indicating the need to replace the water filter when the accumulated operating parameter reaches a threshold value.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: resetting the accumulated operating parameter upon replacement of the water filter.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein accumulating the operating parameter includes:
sensing an actuation of at least one flow control valve used to regulate a flow of filtered water to a desired one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
timing a duration of actuation of the at least one valve;
circulating a volume of filtered water associated wit the duration of actuation; and adding the calculated volume of filtered water to an accumulated, filtered water volume.
sensing an actuation of at least one flow control valve used to regulate a flow of filtered water to a desired one of the water dispenser and the ice maker;
timing a duration of actuation of the at least one valve;
circulating a volume of filtered water associated wit the duration of actuation; and adding the calculated volume of filtered water to an accumulated, filtered water volume.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/867,476 US6355177B2 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-05-31 | Water filter cartridge replacement system for a refrigerator |
| US09/867,476 | 2001-05-31 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2380543A1 true CA2380543A1 (en) | 2002-11-30 |
| CA2380543C CA2380543C (en) | 2010-07-27 |
Family
ID=25349846
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2380543 Expired - Fee Related CA2380543C (en) | 2001-05-31 | 2002-04-05 | Water filter cartridge replacement system for a refrigerator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2380543C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4242560A1 (en) * | 2022-03-10 | 2023-09-13 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker and method for monitoring a water filter of the ice maker |
-
2002
- 2002-04-05 CA CA 2380543 patent/CA2380543C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4242560A1 (en) * | 2022-03-10 | 2023-09-13 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker and method for monitoring a water filter of the ice maker |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2380543C (en) | 2010-07-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20190405 |