CN114364443B - Filter base for electronic connection to a mating filter housing assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly. The filter base includes a base platform having fluid inlet and outlet legs, and a harness assembly including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly. The wire harness assembly includes a conductor extending between a first connector and a second connector, wherein one or more spring contacts are disposed on the second connector. The connector housing has an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and is sized to receive the first end portion of the one or more contacts. The contacts are bendable from a first position to a second position when mating portions of the one or more contacts engage mating connection surfaces of the filter housing assembly. The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board, wherein the contact mating portion is configured to be positioned to mechanically and electrically engage the circuit pad when the filter housing assembly is received in the filter base.

Description

Filter base for electronic connection to a mating filter housing assembly

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filter apparatus, and in particular to 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 can be used as both a lock and an identifier for a particular filter attribute. The mechanical support may be in line and fluid communication with the inflow and outflow conduit, such as within a refrigerator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filter housing and mount wherein the filter housing can be attached to and removed from the mount by pushing an actuated release. The controlled attachment or detachment of a filter sump containing filter media may be initiated by pushing the sump axially towards the mechanical support. The particular key lock design allows the user to identify and match certain filter configurations accommodated by the mechanical support and reject other filter configurations. The internal closure 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 to allow for electronic authentication of the filter housing assembly or for analyzing other criteria associated with the filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media has reached the end of its useful life.

Background

The present invention relates to a water filtration system having a locking and unlocking mechanism for changing the filter when the filter media has reached its useful life. The use of liquid filtration devices is well known in the art, as shown in U.S. Pat. nos. 5,135,645, 5,914,037 and 6,632,355. Although these patents show filters for water filtration, the filters are difficult to replace due to their design and arrangement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,645 discloses a filter cartridge that is a plug-in filter cartridge having a series of switches to prevent water flow when the filter cartridge is removed for replacement. The filter must be manually inserted and removed and a switch activated to activate the valve mechanism to prevent water flow when the filter is removed. The cover of the filter is placed in the side wall of the refrigerator and is used to activate the switch of the start valve. The filter inlet is coplanar with the refrigerator wall and forces difficult access to the filter cartridge.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/511,599 to Huda, filed 8/28/2006, is entitled: in a filter housing apparatus (FILTER HOUSING APPARATUS WITH ROTATING FILTER REPLACEMENT MECHANISM) with a rotary filter changing mechanism, a filter assembly with a rotator actuating mechanism comprising a first internal rotator and a second internal rotator is taught as an efficient way to insert, lock and remove a filter housing from its base. A simple push mechanism actuates a self-actuating release and switch device to hold and release the filter housing sump and provide a water inlet shutoff to prevent leakage and spillage. At the beginning of the filter replacement process, the rotary closing and locking mechanism is activated and released by an axial force acting on the filter housing.

The invention is particularly applicable to water filtration systems of refrigerators having water and optionally ice dispensing devices. Water or water and ice used in refrigerators may contain contaminants from municipal water sources or from subterranean wells or aquifers. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a water filtration system to remove rust, sand, silt, dirt, sediment, heavy metals, microbial contaminants such as giardia, chlorine, pesticides, mercury, benzene, toluene, MTBE, cadmium bacteria, viruses and other known contaminants. Particularly useful water filtration media for microbial contamination include those found in U.S. Pat. nos. 6,872,311, 6,835,311, 6,797,167, 6,630,016, 5,331,037 and 5,147,722, which are incorporated herein by reference. One of the uses of the present filter device is as a water filter device for a refrigerator. A refrigerator is a home appliance having an outer cabinet, a refrigerating chamber disposed in the outer cabinet and having a rear wall, a pair of opposite side walls, at least one door disposed opposite the rear wall, a top and a bottom, and a freezing chamber disposed in the outer cabinet and adjacent to the refrigerating chamber. Refrigerators typically have a water dispenser disposed within a door and in fluid communication with a water source and a filter for filtering the water. Further, refrigerators typically have an ice dispenser in the door and are in fluid communication with a water source and a filter for filtering the water. It has been found that the filter assembly of the present invention can be used as a filter for a refrigerator having a water dispenser and/or an ice dispenser.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly, the filter base comprising: a base platform having fluid inlet and outlet ports; and a harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and a complementary mating filter housing assembly, the harness assembly comprising: a first connector; a second connector; a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector; one or more contacts disposed on the second connector, the one or more contacts being bendable from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of a 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 a contact receiving housing extending from the upper surface, the contact receiving housing being sized to receive the first end portion of the one or more contacts.

The one or more contacts may include a terminating portion mounted on the second connector at the first end portion and received in the contact receiving housing, a flexible portion extending from the terminating portion, and a substrate engaging portion extending from the flexible portion, and wherein the one or more contact mating portions include the substrate engaging portion.

One or more of the contact terminating portions may include a folded region proximate the free end forming an insulation displacement slot for mating with a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector.

The filter base further includes a contact receiving projection extending from the lower surface of the connector housing, the contact receiving projection including a slot sized to receive and retain therein a portion of the folded region of the terminating portion of the one or more contacts.

The filter base further includes a conductor-receiving conduit integral with the upper and lower surfaces of the connector housing, the conductor-receiving conduit sized to receive a portion of the conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the conductor positioned in the conductor-receiving conduit extends through the contact-receiving housing.

The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board of a complementary mating filter housing assembly, and wherein the one or more contact mating portions have curved contact portions configured to be positioned to mechanically and electrically engage the circuit pad when the complementary mating filter housing assembly is received within the filter base.

The connector housing is partially disposed within the laterally extending slotted portion of the base platform.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a combination filter base and filter housing assembly, the combination comprising: a filter base having fluid inlet and outlet 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 comprising: a first connector; a second connector; a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector; one or more contacts disposed on the second connector, the one or more contacts being bendable from a first position to a second position when the bent contact portion of the one or more contacts engages the 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 a contact receiving housing extending from the upper surface, the contact receiving housing being sized to receive a first end portion of one or more contacts; and a filter housing for enclosing the filter media, the filter housing having a main body and a top portion for forming a fluid seal with the main body, the filter housing top portion including a mating connection surface for engaging the one or more contact mating portions to establish an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the mating connection surface being configured to mechanically and electrically engage the curved contact portions of the one or more contacts when the filter housing is received within the filter base.

The one or more contacts may have a terminating portion mounted on the second connector at the first end portion and received in the contact receiving housing, a flexible portion extending from the terminating portion, and a substrate engaging portion extending from the flexible portion, and wherein the one or more contact bending contact portions include the substrate engaging portion.

The one or more contacts of the filter base flex from a first position to a second position when the curved contact portion of the one or more contacts engages the mating connection surface of the top portion of the filter housing.

The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board located on or connected to the top portion of the filter housing.

A printed circuit board housing is located at or attached to the filter housing top portion, the printed circuit board housing including a recess for receiving a printed circuit board therein and for attaching the printed circuit board to the filter housing top portion.

The filter housing top portion includes inlet and outlet ports positioned along chordal lines that do not intersect the axial center of the filter housing top portion such that a diametrical line extending perpendicularly through the chordal lines is split into unequal portions, the inlet and outlet ports being received within the inlet and outlet struts of the filter base.

The filter housing top portion inlet and outlet ports each extend vertically upward from the filter cartridge housing top portion in a direction parallel to the axial center, wherein the inlet port and outlet port each have at least one approximately cylindrical cross-section portion or section, including a first section forming the top portion of the inlet port and outlet port, a third section adjacent the housing top portion, and a second section located between the first section and the third section, the second section having at least one aperture or cavity for fluid flow, the first section and the third section having a first diameter, and the second section having a second diameter unequal to the first diameter.

The inlet port and the outlet port second section may be formed in an hourglass shape.

The inlet port second section cavity and the outlet port second section cavity are exposed in a direction opposite the mating connection surface of the filter housing top portion.

The combination further comprises: a filter key located on or connected to the filter housing top portion, the filter key including an extended attachment member having an at least partially exposed bottom surface, the filter key attachment member bottom surface releasably engaging the top surface of the at least one shaped projection when the filter key is inserted in the axial insertion direction into a locking member located on the filter base, thereby inhibiting withdrawal of the filter housing assembly.

The combination further includes an electronic circuit component housing disposed adjacent the filter key and having a recess for receiving the 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 relates to a method for attaching a filter housing assembly to a filter base, the filter base comprising a base platform and a harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the harness assembly comprising a first connector, a second connector, conductors extending between the first connector and the second connector, and one or more contacts disposed on the second connector and when a curved contact portion of the one or more contacts engages a complementary mating connection surface of a complementary mating filter housing assembly, the one or more contacts are curved from a first position to a second position, and further comprising 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 a contact receiving housing extending from the upper surface, the contact receiving housing being sized to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts, the method comprising: inserting the inlet and outlet ports of the filter housing assembly into the inlet and outlet struts of the filter base to generate an elastic extraction force in an axial insertion direction; inserting a filter key of a filter housing assembly into a locking member of a filter base; upon insertion, engaging the mating connection surface of the filter housing with the one or more contact bending contact portions to establish an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly such that the one or more contacts of the wire assembly bend from the first position to the second position and remain engaged with the mating connection surface during bending; and releasing the filter housing assembly such that the resilient extraction force acts on the filter key attachment member in the axial extraction direction to engage the filter key attachment member bottom contact surface with the top surface of the drive key opposite the locking member, thereby inhibiting extraction of the filter housing assembly.

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 inlet and outlet ports; and a harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and a complementary mating filter housing assembly, the harness assembly comprising: a first connector; a second connector; a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector; one or more contacts disposed on the second connector, the one or more contacts being bent from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of a 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 a contact receiving housing extending from the upper surface, the contact receiving housing being sized to receive a first end portion of one or more contacts; and wherein the filter cartridge assembly comprises a housing having a substantially cylindrical body and a top portion for forming a fluid seal with the body, the housing top portion having an axial center and further comprising: an inlet port and an outlet port extending from the housing top portion, each of the inlet port and the outlet port having a body with a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section adjacent the housing top section and in fluid communication with the cylindrical body, the inlet port and the outlet port top section having at least one seal at a connection with the middle section, and the inlet port and the outlet port bottom section having at least one seal at a connection with the middle section, each of the seals having an outer surface first diameter, and the inlet port and the outlet port middle section having an outer surface with a diameter extension less than the inlet port and the outlet port respective seal first diameters, such that the inlet port middle section and the outlet port middle section are formed in an hourglass shape; a filter key located in or connected to the housing for mating attachment to the filter base, the filter key comprising an extending finger comprising a contact portion on one side forming a first angle with respect to the housing top portion in a first direction and an adjacent side forming a second angle with respect to the housing top portion in the first direction such that the first angle and the second angle are unequal; and optionally an electronic circuit component housing disposed adjacent the filter key and having a recess for receiving an electronic circuit component therein and for further connecting the electronic circuit component to the housing top portion, the electronic circuit component housing being located in or connected to the cartridge assembly housing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a base-mounted filter housing apparatus with an automatic locking mechanism for simple replacement and removal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a surface mounted filter housing apparatus having pressure activated non-rotating locking means for replacement and removal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a filter housing apparatus for use with a water and/or ice dispensing apparatus whereby filtered water is provided to the water and/or ice dispensing apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a filter base apparatus for establishing an electrical connection between a filter base and a mating filter housing assembly that allows for electronic verification of the filter housing assembly or for analyzing other criteria associated with the filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media in the replaceable filter cartridge has reached the end of its useful life.

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 following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a top exploded view of one embodiment of a filter assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side plan view of the embodiment of the filter housing assembly of FIG. 1A.

Fig. 1C depicts a perspective view of a filter housing assembly wherein the stiffening ribs extend at least partially down the outer surface of the filter housing.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a 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 the grooves and locking lugs or tabs for attachment.

Fig. 2D depicts a perspective view of 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. 2A.

Fig. 2G depicts a slotted groove that includes a wider upper portion for securely fixing a filter key to a filter head or filter manifold.

FIG. 2H is a side view of a filter key depicting an angled ramp section that extends at least partially the length of the bottom surface of the filter key.

Fig. 2I depicts a complementarily sloped ramp section for the filter key of fig. 2H.

Fig. 2J depicts a side view, partially in section, of a filter head showing mating protrusions for interlocking with grooved grooves on a filter key, and complementary sloped ramp sections for interlocking with ramp sections on the bottom edge of the filter key.

Fig. 3A depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a floating lock or slide 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 a cross-sectional longitudinal side view of the floating lock of fig. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a filter manifold.

Fig. 4B is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a filter manifold with an extended support member.

Fig. 4C is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a filter manifold.

Figure 5A is a side view of one embodiment of a 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 a filter head with a snap-fit lock for a filter key.

Fig. 5E is a bottom perspective view of the filter head of fig. 5D.

Fig. 5F is a top perspective view of the filter head depicting the apertures for receiving the filter keys.

Fig. 5G depicts a one-piece or unitary filter head/filter manifold construction having inlet and outlet ports for fluid flow.

Fig. 5H is a side view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of fig. 5G.

FIG. 5I is a bottom view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of FIG. 5G depicting an off-axis center cylinder for receiving an end cap port of a filter cartridge.

Fig. 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.

Fig. 7E depicts an end or lateral side view of the embodiment of the filter key of fig. 7A, showing the raised boss above the plane created by the fingers, and two wings extending laterally outward from the boss.

Fig. 7F is a perspective view of another embodiment of the filter key of the present invention showing the locking tab on the bottom of the 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. 8A.

Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the floating lock of fig. 8A depicting the drive key 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. 8C, showing edge corners and facets.

Fig. 8E depicts a perspective view of a floating lock with an extension member.

Fig. 8F is a side view of the floating lock of fig. 8E with an extension member.

Fig. 8G is a side 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 a back plate of the present invention.

Fig. 10B is a bottom perspective view of the back plate of fig. 10A.

Fig. 10C is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the back plate of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the filter assembly of the present invention showing a filter key with boss attached to a filter manifold with an extension support.

Fig. 12A is a front 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. 12D is a rear view of the filter assembly of fig. 12A.

Fig. 12E is an enlarged partial top perspective view of the filter assembly of fig. 12A.

Fig. 13A is a front top perspective view of a filter key for use 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 view of the filter key of fig. 13A.

Fig. 14A is a top view of the embodiment of the filter assembly of fig. 12A with the printed circuit board directly secured to the filter housing top portion without the PCB housing.

Fig. 14B is a partial perspective view of the filter assembly embodiment of fig. 14A.

Fig. 14C is a partial front view of the filter assembly of fig. 14A.

Fig. 14D is a partial side view of the filter assembly of fig. 14A.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical connector and wiring harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and harness of fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and 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 wiring harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wiring harness of fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and harness of fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is an upwardly 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 a top perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical connector and wiring harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and harness of fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a filter base including an electrical connector and wiring harness for connection to a mating filter housing assembly in accordance with 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 upwardly facing perspective view of the floating lock of fig. 27.

Fig. 30A is an enlarged view of the device key of fig. 30 depicting a receiving wedge having an extension shelf portion.

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In describing embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made herein to fig. 1 through 31 of the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like features of the present invention. Features of the invention are not necessarily shown to scale.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, words such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward," "downward," longitudinal, transverse, radial, "clockwise" or "counterclockwise" describe only configurations 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 will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements.

In addition, in this specification, the words "exemplary," "illustrative," and 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 to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" is merely intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

The present invention relates to a filter housing assembly for filtering liquids, including interception of chemical, particulate and/or microbiological contaminants. The use of a mechanical locking assembly of the filter housing without the excessive forces and tight tolerances necessary in prior art filter housings allows for easy and frequent replacement of the filter and optimization of filter performance. The filter housing assembly of the present invention provides simplified filter replacement to minimize process downtime and without the aid of tools. A simple push mechanism actuates a self-actuating release and switch device to hold and release the filter housing sump or cartridge and provides a water inlet shutoff to prevent leakage and spillage. The floating lock or slide lock moves perpendicular or radial to the axial movement of the sump in response to axial insertion force from the filter cartridge and allows a particular connector or filter key to be inserted into the floating lock. Once inserted, the floating lock is retracted towards its original position by the action of an elastic force, such as two springs in series, or other complementary elastic means, which keep the floating lock under a retraction tension when it moves from its original position. The combination of the filter key and the floating lock allows a particular filter model to be identified and may be configured to reject all filter types except for the particular filter type.

Removal of the cartridge proceeds in the same manner. The axial insertion force causes the floating lock to move radially, which allows the filter key to be removed from the floating lock. The extraction force provided by the spring tension or the like helps push the cartridge out of its seat. At the beginning of the filter replacement process, the fluid shut-off and locking mechanism is activated by an axial force acting on the filter cartridge.

The present invention is described below with reference to its application in conjunction with a water treatment system and the operation of the water treatment system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be applied to any device requiring filtration of a liquid.

Fig. 1A is a top exploded view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention. The filter assembly may be fixedly secured in place within an operating environment requiring fluid filtration, such as attached to an interior side wall of a refrigerator, although other operating environments are certainly contemplated, and the filter assembly may be used in any number of environments in which the filter assembly may enter and may be in fluid communication with the inflow and outflow fluid inlet ports. For illustrative purposes only, the application of filtering water that is piped into a refrigerator is discussed.

Filter housing assembly 200 includes a removable, removable cartridge or sump of the filter assembly that is removable from filter base 100. The filter housing assembly 200 includes: a filter housing 1 which encloses a filter medium 8; a filter head 2 attached at one end to the filter housing 1 and at the other end to the filter manifold 3 and the non-floating port 11. A connector or filter key 5 is attached to the filter manifold 3. The filter base 100 includes a non-floating port 11 with a base platform 1104, a locking member or floating lock 12, and a back plate 13. The filter head 2 is fixed to the filter housing 1 in a watertight fit. The attachment scheme may be made by watertight screw fitting, bonding, welding or other watertight fastening mechanisms commonly used in the art for sealing abutting components, typically abutting plastic components. As discussed in further detail below, a filter key 5 is connected to the filter manifold 3. The filter key 5 may be formed as a single piece with the filter manifold 3 or may be securely attached by other methods such as adhesive, welding, press fit, friction fit, etc. The filter key 5 may also be removably attached for replacement by an end user. A filter manifold 3 is attached to the filter head 2. The filter medium 8 is located in the filter housing 1. Each end of the filter medium 8 is secured by a cover that facilitates the direction of the fluid being treated by the filter. At one end, the filter media 8 is secured by a closed end cap 7 and at the other end by an open end cap 6. The filter media 8 may be any filter media known in the art, preferably a carbon block filter. It is generally shaped in a similar way as the filter housing 1, in one embodiment the filter housing 1 is cylindrical. The open end cap 6 is designed to interface and be in fluid communication with the filter head 2.

In another embodiment, the filter housing 1 may include reinforcing ribs 16 longitudinally located on the outer surface of the filter housing. Fig. 1C depicts a perspective view of a filter housing assembly 200 having a row of reinforcing ribs extending at least partially along the outer surface of the filter housing 1. The stiffening ribs 16 also serve as guides for inserting the filter housing assembly 200 into a shroud (not shown), which may be part of the mounting assembly, to ensure proper alignment with the filter base 100. The stiffening ribs 16 are preferably integrally formed with the filter housing 1, but may also be attached as separate component parts. The ribs 16 may extend the entire length of the filter housing 1 or, as shown, may extend to an intermediate point between the end caps 6, 7 of the filter housing assembly 200.

The filter housing assembly 200 is a finished assembly comprising a filter housing 1, the filter housing 1 enclosing a filter medium 8 with a closed end cap 7 at one end and an open end cap 6 at the other end. Typically, an O-ring seal, such as O-ring seal 9, is used to prevent water leakage in anticipation of the mating of the different components. The filter manifold 3 and filter key 5 are connected to the filter head 2 and secured to the filter housing 1 to form an assembled filter housing apparatus 200. These components may be integral, permanently fixed, or removably attached to each other and to the 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 the connector or filter key 5.

Fig. 2B is a lateral side view of the filter key 5. As previously described, the bottom of the filter key 5 is attached to the filter manifold 3 by any number of fastening schemes, or may be integrally formed with the filter manifold 3.

Fig. 2C depicts a groove 51 preferably shaped to receive a complementary protrusion on the filter manifold 3 and preferably shaped to receive a dovetail protrusion; however, other connections, complementary shapes are not excluded.

For example, fig. 2G depicts a slotted groove 51b that is not a dovetail joint. The slotted groove 51b may include a wider upper portion 51c to more securely fix the filter key 5 to the filter manifold 3. The attachment of the filter key 5 to the filter manifold 3 may be adhesive, sonic welding, press fit, friction fit, or the like. Further, the filter key 5 may be integral with the filter manifold 3. Similarly, the filter manifold 3 may be bonded, sonic welded, press fit, friction fit, or integrally formed with the filter housing top portion. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the recess 51 is shaped to receive a press fit or snap fit feature located on the filter manifold 3. In this way, the filter key 5 may be detachably attached to the filter manifold 3. Similarly, the filter manifold 3 may be designed to be removably attached to the filter head 2. Thus, the design has more flexibility to introduce and accommodate different key configurations that can be used to specify particular filter types and purposefully reject other filter types. In addition, the filter key 5 may include an inclined ramp section 59a at least on a bottom edge thereof, wherein the filter key 5 slidably mates with a top surface of the filter manifold 3 or filter head 400.

Fig. 2H is a side view of the filter key 5, depicting an inclined ramp section 59a that extends at least partially the length of the bottom surface of the filter key 5. The inclined slope 59a is located at one end of the bottom edge of the filter key 5 and extends into the filter key body 5 a.

Fig. 2I depicts a perspective view of a filter head 400, the filter head 400 having a complementary angled ramp section 59b for mating with the angled ramp section 59a of the filter key 5. The inclined ramp section 59a may matingly abut a complementary inclined ramp section 59b to interlock and help secure the filter key 5 to the filter head 400. For a two-piece design utilizing the filter manifold 3, a complementary sloped ramp section 59b is formed on the top surface of the filter manifold 3.

Fig. 2J depicts a side view, partially in cross-section, of filter head 400 showing mating projections or rails 321 for interlocking with grooved grooves 51b, and complementary sloped ramp sections 59b.

Fig. 4A depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a filter manifold 300. Port 310 is shown offset from the center of filter manifold 300. Fig. 4A depicts a filter manifold without an extended support member. Preferably, port 310 is an outlet port; however, the invention is not limited to a particular inlet and outlet location and these ports may be interchanged. When port 310 is used as an outlet or outlet port, filter manifold 300 takes fluid from filter media 8 through the central port of opening cover 6 and directs the fluid radially outward from the axial center to port 310. In this embodiment, the inlet port is located on the filter head 2. By locating the inlet and outlet ports off-axis, the filter housing assembly 200 has a stronger design, has enhanced structural integrity for mounting to the filter base, and for remaining securable in place during attachment.

Referring to fig. 4A to 4C, in a preferred attachment scheme of the filter key 5, a protrusion or rail 32 or 320 is formed on or near the centerline of the filter manifold 3 or 300. The protrusion or rail 32 or 320 is preferably a rectangular section extending over the circular central portion 33 or 330. The protrusions or rails 32 allow for precise alignment of the filter keys 5 while providing a strong connection. Preferably, the dovetail, press-fit or friction-fit interconnection between the protrusions 32 and the grooves 51 of the filter key 5 allows a user to remove and replace the filter key 5. This allows for the assignment of specific filter keys and, accordingly, specific filter cartridges. The protrusions or rails 32, 320 may be integrally formed with the filter manifold 3 or 300, respectively, and the filter manifold 3 may be integrally formed with the filter housing top portion. Alternatively, these components may be manufactured separately and attached by bonding, welding, press-fitting, friction-fitting, or other suitable means known in the art. Preferably, the protrusions or rails 32, 320 have dovetail-shaped surfaces for slidably mating with complementary grooves 51 of the filter key 5.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4B and 4C, the protrusions 32 may be on the extension support 34. Fig. 4B depicts a top view of the filter manifold 3, showing the extension supports 34 extending longitudinally or radially outwardly along a radius from the central portion 33. The extension support 34 supports an optional shroud 4 that covers and protects the filter head 2. The filter manifold 3 or 300 is disposed within the filter head 2 and attached to the filter head 2.

Fig. 5A depicts a side view of one embodiment of the filter head 2. The filter head 2 is shown with an off-centre port 21. In this way, both the port 21 of the filter head 2 and the port 31 of the filter manifold 3 are off-centered and parallel to each other about a plane that intersects approximately the center point of the filter head 2. As shown in fig. 1, 4 and 5, the recessed portion 22 formed around the center point of the filter head 2 accommodates the center portion 33 of the filter manifold 3. If an extension support 34 is used with the filter manifold 3, the extension support 34 is positioned generally perpendicular to the plane formed by the ports 21 and 31 when the filter manifold 3 is inserted into the filter head 2. The extension support 34 provides a snap fit design for the shroud 4 at each end.

Fig. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the filter head.

Fig. 5C is a top perspective view of the filter head 2, depicting the recessed portion 22.

Filter head 210 depicts another embodiment as shown in fig. 5D-5F. In this embodiment, as shown in the top perspective view of fig. 5F, on the top surface of filter head 210 are a curved receiving boss or support member 230 on one side of the center point and two parallel lateral support members 240a, b on the other side of the center point of filter head 210 opposite curved boss 230. These structural support members serve to align the filter key 5 with the filter head 210 and help secure the filter key 5. As shown in fig. 4A, the filter head may be used in conjunction with a filter manifold 300 without an extension support. The structural support member 230 provides a physical stop for the filter key 5, which filter key 5 typically slides over the protrusion 32 provided by the filter manifold 300. The lateral support members 240a, b serve to align the filter key 5 and prevent its accidental displacement. Fig. 5E is a bottom perspective view of filter head 210. Fig. 5D is a side view of filter head 210.

In another embodiment, the filter head 2, 210 may be integral with the filter manifold 3, 310, such as a one-piece construction in a single injection molded piece, or a two-piece construction welded, fused or otherwise permanently attached to the filter head 2, 210 as a subassembly with the filter manifold 3, 310.

Fig. 5G depicts a single piece or unitary filter head/filter manifold configuration 400 having an inlet port 410a and an outlet port 410 b. The protrusion 420 is preferably a shaped section extending above and offset from the circular center of the filter head 400. The protrusions 420 allow for precise alignment of the filter key 5 while providing a strong connection. The dovetail, press-fit or friction-fit interconnection between the protrusions 420 and the grooves 51 of the filter key 5 allows a user to remove and replace the filter key 5.

Fig. 5H is a side view of the integrated, one-piece filter head 400. The cylindrical wall 424 is sized to receive the open end cap 6 of the filter housing 1. The cylindrical wall 426 is offset from the axial center of the filter head 400 and is configured to receive a central axial port of the end cap 6, redirecting fluid flow away from the axial center such that port 410b is within the cylinder 426 and port 410a is outside of the cylinder 426. This redirection of the fluid flow performs a similar function as the filter manifold 3, 310 without the need to align the central axial port of the end cap 6 with the filter manifold bore.

Fig. 5I is a bottom view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of fig. 5G, depicting an off-axial center cylinder 426 for receiving a port of the open end cap 6 of the filter cartridge. In contrast to fig. 5B and 5E, which depict perspective views of the underside of the filter head 2, 210, respectively, fig. 5I shows that there is no axially centered cylinder in the unitary filter head 400 design for receiving a port from the open end cap 6.

Filter manifold 300 includes an off-center port 310 and a central portion 330 that fits securely within recess 220 of filter head 210. The protrusion 320 accommodates the recess from the filter key 5. In this embodiment, the structural support members 230 and the lateral structural support members 240a, b secure the filter key 5 when the filter key 5 is slidably inserted into the protrusion 320. The bent portion of the structural support member 230 forces the filter key 5 to be inserted in only one direction. An additional boss 232 located on top of the filter head 210 and centered between the lateral support members 240a, b may be employed to serve as a locking or snap fit for the filter key 5. Additionally, in another embodiment, the structural support member 230 may be formed with an aperture 235 directly away from the center point of the filter head 210 at the base where the support member 230 intersects the top portion of the filter head 210. This aperture 235 is designed to receive a protruding material or locking tab or tab 53 which is provided or formed with a corresponding end of the filter key 5 on the lower end of the lateral side. The locking tab or lug 53 on the filter key 5 is inserted into the aperture 235 on the curved portion of the structural support member 230 and prevents axial removal of the filter key 5 from the filter head 210. Fig. 2A to 2F show the locking projection 53 on the bottom of the lateral side of the filter key 5. Fig. 5D is a side view of filter head 210 depicting aperture 235 for receiving filter key 5.

As shown in fig. 2A to 2F, the filter key 5 comprises at least one attachment member, such as a laterally extending finger 52, preferably a plurality of extending fingers. Fig. 2C is a bottom perspective view of the filter key 5. In the first illustrative embodiment, the filter key 5 is shown having ten laterally extending fingers 52. The fingers 52 are preferably constructed of the same material as the base 55 of the filter key 5 and are integrally formed with the base 55 of the filter key 5. However, the fingers may also be removably attached, and the filter key design is not limited to an integrally formed configuration. The laterally extending fingers 52 may form many different configurations. In the illustrative embodiment, there is a uniform gap 54 between each finger 52. In other arrangements, fingers may be absent on one or both sides of the filter key 5, and the gap 54 may be wider in some places than in others. Using the number 1, 0 designation to indicate the finger (1) or gap (0), many different configurations for the filter key are possible. The configuration shown in fig. 2E will be designated 101010101 on each side. As a separate example, for reference number 100010101, this would mean that the lateral finger (1) is followed by a wide gap (000), then the finger (1) is followed by a gap (0), the finger (1) is followed by another gap (0), and the last finger (1). The present invention is not limited to any particular finger/gap sequence. In addition, the finger/gap arrangement on one side of the filter key 5 need not be symmetrical with the finger/gap arrangement on the opposite side. By having different finger/gap configurations, a mechanical key identifier for the particular filter housing assembly used may be manufactured. The filter key 5 may also be color coded to facilitate identification of different filter cartridges or housing assemblies. It may also be textured, mirrored, transparent, translucent, material modified or have conductive features, or any combination thereof, for identification purposes. More importantly, in addition to the identification of the filter housing assembly, the particular filter key finger/gap configuration will only allow for the use of a particular filter housing assembly in a given system.

The fingers 52 of the filter key 5 are strength bearing attachment members for mating or interlocking with corresponding protrusions or drive keys 123a, b located on the longitudinal sides of the locking member or floating lock 12, as depicted in fig. 3. There must be at least one protrusion or actuation key on the floating lock 12 that corresponds to and lines up with at least one finger or attachment member on the filter key 5 such that when the filter key 5 is inserted to mate with the floating lock 12, the actuation key slidably contacts the finger and the floating lock 12 is longitudinally displaced an increment to allow the finger 52 on the filter key 5 to move back and forth between the gaps 122 on the floating lock 12. Once the fingers 52 have passed between the corresponding gaps on the floating lock 12, the floating lock 12 is slidably restrained under tension, and the floating lock 12 is partially returned to its original position by the tension retractive force such that at least one of the extension fingers on the filter key 5 aligns or interlocks with at least one of the protrusions or drive keys on the floating lock 12 and this alignment resists any direct outward axial extraction force.

Each attachment member or finger 52 of the filter key 5 includes a ramp 58 as shown in fig. 2A and 2F. Such that they slidably contact complementary angled edges or angled members 121a, b of the drive keys 123A, b of the floating lock 12 shown in fig. 3A and 3E. During insertion of the filter key 5, sliding contact of the ramped members of the fingers of the filter key laterally displaces the floating lock 12 from its initial position and allows the fingers of the filter key 5 to be inserted into the gap 122 between the drive keys 123a, b.

A perspective view of the locking member or floating lock 12 is depicted in fig. 3A and 3B. The floating lock 12 has obliquely facing fingers, protrusions or drive keys 123a, b and gaps 122 that may correspond to the fingers 52 and gaps 54 on the filter key 5. The drive key/gap configuration of the floating lock 12 need not be fully complementary to the finger/gap configuration of the filter key 5. The floating lock 12 must be able to fully accommodate the inserted filter element 5 only when the filter housing assembly 200 is axially inserted into the filter base 100. Each projection or drive key 123a, b of the floating lock 12 is shaped to receive a wedge 129a, b, respectively, opposite the angled portion or edge 121a, b to capture the finger 52 of the filter key 5. The fingers 52 may have a cross-sectional diamond shape to facilitate capture by the drive key receiving wedges 129a, b. The drive keys 123a, b are provided on at least one longitudinal side of the floating lock 12, as shown in fig. 3D and 3E. Below and in the middle of the drive keys 123a, b is a row of position stops 125 that form a track structure extending longitudinally along the floating lock 12. The position stop 125 prevents the finger 52 from extending further during insertion. No position stops 125 are required for each drive key 123a, b, as long as there is at least one position stop 125 to prohibit over-insertion of the filter key 5. The position stop 125 also includes a ramp or inclined surface 126 for sliding contact with the inclined surface 58 of the finger 52 on the filter key 5. The position stops 125 are shown as a row of serrated edges, but need not be in one-to-one correspondence with the drive keys 123a, b.

Upon insertion, when the attachment member or extension finger 52 of the filter key 5 contacts the drive key 123a, b, the floating lock 12 moves from its initial position against the retraction force and moves in accordance with the contacting beveled edges 58 and 121. Once wings 56a, b of finger 52 clear lips 127a, b of drive keys 123a, b, floating lock 12 is not inhibited from reacting to the retractive force and moves slightly rearward toward its original position where diamond-shaped wings 56a, b are then captured by receiving wedges 129a, b. This position locks the filter key 5 to the floating lock 12 against any direct axial extraction force.

There is a gap or space 124 between the bottommost portions of the drive keys 123a, b and the topmost portion of the position stopper 125. When the wings 56a, b of the finger 52 are pushed into the gap or space upon withdrawal, there is no structure that prevents the floating lock 12 from responding to the tension retractive force acting thereon. Thus, the floating lock 12 is free to respond to the retractive force and will tend to move toward its original position. This will align the fingers 52 of the filter key 5 within the gaps 122 of the floating lock 12 and allow for easy extraction of the filter housing 200.

To withdraw the filter housing assembly 200, the user again pushes the filter housing assembly axially inward, which releases the wings 56a, b on the filter key 5 from the drive keys 123a, b. This releases the floating lock 12 to return to its original position and positions the finger 52 on the filter key 5 at the gap 122 of the floating lock 12. The filter housing assembly 200 is now free to be withdrawn from the filter base 100. Resilient members 1110 within the closed struts 1101a, b of the non-floating port 11 help to push or withdraw the filter housing assembly 200 from the filter base 100.

Fig. 9A is a perspective view of non-floating port 11, non-floating port 11 cooperating with back plate 13 or back plate 1300 to hold floating or slide lock 12 in place while allowing floating or slide lock 12 to freely move longitudinally away from its central position and back to its central position during insertion and extraction of filter housing assembly 200. As discussed further herein, base platform 1104 of 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 primarily made to the interaction of non-floating port 11 with floating lock 12, although the applicability of non-floating port 11 also includes use with floating locks 1200 and 1212. The non-floating port base platform 1104 includes a protruding enclosure 1102 that is larger than the floating lock 12 and is configured to enclose the floating lock 12 therein. The enclosure 1102 prevents excessive movement of the floating lock 12 and protects the floating lock from extraneous, accidental movement when installed.

Fig. 9B is a top plan view of the non-floating port 11. Struts 1101a, b are located on opposite sides of package 1102 and extend through base platform 1104. Each inlet/outlet leg 1101a, b has an upper leg portion extending vertically upward in an axial direction relative to the top surface of base platform 1104 and a lower leg portion extending axially downward relative to base platform 1104. Port 1103 represents the inlet and outlet ports for fluid and extends perpendicular to struts 1101a, b. Closing struts 1101a, b includes a closing plug 14 that acts as a valve seal to stop fluid flow when the filter cartridge is removed. Closure struts 1101a, b are preferably cylindrical, containing spring actuated O-ring seals for sealing the inlet and outlet lines during cartridge removal. In an embodiment, the back plate 13 is snap-fit into the non-floating port 11. To accommodate this, snap fitting 1105 is shown on non-floating port 11, which receives corresponding fitting 135 on back plate 13. Referring to fig. 1, a floating lock 12 is supported by a non-floating port 11 and a back plate 13.

Fig. 10A is a top plan view of one embodiment of the back plate 13 of the present invention.

Fig. 10B depicts a bottom perspective view of the rear plate 13. The back plate 13 secures the locking member or floating lock 12 within the support structure in the non-floating port 11. The back plate 13 is preferably attached to the non-floating port 11 by snap-fit, although other attachment schemes known in the art, such as adhesive bonding, welding, and various mechanical fasteners, may be readily employed. The rear plate 13 is formed with an extension 132 on each end, and a shaped gap 133 is formed therebetween. Gap 133 is shaped to close struts 1101a, b around non-floating port 11. In this embodiment, the back plate 13 includes a central aperture 131 that allows the floating lock 12 to move longitudinally. The floating lock 12 may include an extension member opposite the face where the fingers and gaps are configured to allow a resilient member such as a coil spring or torsion spring to act thereon. Fig. 3C and 3E are side views of the floating lock showing the extension member 128. Fig. 3B is a perspective view of floating lock 12 with extension member 128. FIG. 8E depicts floating lock 1212 having extension member 1280. In these embodiments, the extension member is acted upon by resilient means held by the back plate.

Fig. 10C is a top plan view of another embodiment of rear plate 1300 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the top side of rear plate 1300 includes a dome-shaped slotted cover 1302 over the central aperture. The cover 1302 is formed to enclose a spring or other resilient member about the extension member 128 extending from the floating lock 12. Dome 1302 includes a slot 1304 that is configured to receive extension member 128 from floating lock 12. The slots 1304 help to maintain linear movement of the floating lock 12 within the dome 1302. In this embodiment, two complementary resilient members (such as springs) would reside on each side of the extension member 128 of the floating lock 12. One resilient member preferably exerts a force on the floating locking extension member in one direction and the other resilient member exerts a force on the floating locking extension member in the opposite direction. In this way, no matter how the floating lock 12 is moved or displaced, the retractive force itself is presented to return the floating lock 12 to its original centered position.

At all times during insertion, the filter housing assembly is under an extraction force tending to push the housing out of the filter base. These extraction forces are generated by the resilient members in each of the closure struts 1101a, B of the non-floating ports 11 (shown in FIG. 9B) forcing the closure block 14 into position to block the inlet and outlet ports. Preferably, the withdrawal force on the closure block 14 is provided by a spring 1110 in each port, although other resilient members may be used to provide similar results. Insertion of the filter housing assembly into the filter base reacts against these extraction forces and pushes the closure block 14 further up each closure post 1101a, b of the non-floating port 11. This allows fluid ingress while maintaining the filter housing assembly at a constant extraction force.

A protective port shield 4 may be placed over the filter head 2 to protect the floating lock 12 and filter key 5 mechanism from damage and debris. The shroud 4 is preferably supported by an extension support on the filter manifold.

Fig. 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. Filter key 500 is depicted without a locking tab or tab; however, it may include locking tabs to facilitate attachment to the filter head. Fig. 7F depicts a filter key 590 having a locking tab or tab 501. The locking tab 501 is located at the bottom of the filter key 590. In this embodiment, the filter key 500 or 590 and the filter manifold 300 are modified such that the locking member or floating lock 1200 or 1212 of fig. 8 is slidably displaced with the drive key 1210a, b of the floating lock 1200 by the interacting wings 560a, b of the extension boss 550 on the filter key 500 or 590.

Filter key 500 or 590 is inserted into floating lock 1200 by axial insertion of the filter housing assembly into the filter base. Hammerhead wings 560a, b on finger 520 of filter key 500 and drive keys 1210a, b on floating lock 1200 or 1212 slidably contact each other, resulting in lateral movement of floating lock 1200 or 1212 perpendicular to the axial movement of insertion. In this manner, floating lock 1200 or 1212 is longitudinally displaced in a radial direction relative to the filter housing assembly axis. The attachment member or finger 520 of the filter key 500 is positioned within a gap 1220 on the floating lock 1200 or 1212. Once filter key 500 or 590 is inserted, floating lock 1200 or 1212 is partially returned to its original position by a contracting tension, preferably by a complementary spring force, such that the fingers on floating lock 1200 or 1212 directly align with fingers 520 on filter key 500 or 590, thereby preventing direct extraction forces 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 extending angled boss 550. The boss 550 rises above a horizontal plane 570 formed by the top portion of the finger 520 and slopes toward the finger 520 with its highest point at one end of the filter key 500. Boss 550 slopes downwardly from its highest point toward finger 520. Preferably, boss 550 is an upwardly facing triangular or wedge-shaped design with wings 560a, b for interacting with drive keys 1210a, b, respectively, on floating lock 1200.

Fig. 7E depicts an end view of filter key 500 showing hammerhead boss 550 raised above a plane 570 formed by fingers 520, and wings 560a, b extending laterally from boss 550, similar to what may be considered hammerhead-shaped. The purpose of wings 560a, b is to contact corresponding tilt drive keys 1210a, b on floating lock 1200.

A perspective view of a 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. 8E is the addition of extension member 1280 to floating lock 1212. Floating lock 1200 has fingers 1230a, b and gaps 1220 that may correspond to fingers 520 and gaps 540 located on filter key 500 or 590. The finger/gap configuration of floating lock 1200 need not be fully complementary to the finger/gap configuration of filter key 500 or 590. It is only necessary that floating lock 1200 fully accommodate the inserted filter key 500 when the filter housing assembly is axially inserted into the filter base. Furthermore, once floating lock 1200 is subjected to a retractive force that acts to partially return it toward its original position, at least one attachment member or finger on filter key 500 or 590 must be vertically aligned with at least one finger on floating lock 1200 or 1212 to prevent any extraction without further displacement of floating lock 1200 or 1212.

Using floating lock 1200 and filter key 500 as illustrative examples, floating lock 1200 moves in a lateral motion perpendicular to the axial motion of the insert when wings 560a, b on filter key 500 are in sliding contact with protrusions or drive keys 1210a, b on floating lock 1200. In this manner, floating lock 1200 is longitudinally displaced in a radial direction relative to the filter housing assembly axis. Fingers 520 of filter key 500 are positioned within gaps 1220 on floating lock 1200. Once filter key 500 is inserted, floating lock 1200 is partially returned to its original position by a contracting tension force, preferably by a complementary spring force, such that the fingers on floating lock 1200 are directly aligned with fingers 520 on filter key 500, thereby preventing a direct extraction force from removing the filter housing assembly from the filter base.

The extending fingers 1230a, b are preferably constructed of the same material as the floating lock 1200 and are integrally formed therewith. However, the fingers 1230 may also be removably attached and the floating lock design is not limited to an integrally formed configuration. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to any particular finger/gap sequence. The finger/gap configuration on one side of floating lock 1200 need not be symmetrical with the finger/gap configuration on the opposite side. Floating lock 1200 responds to tension forces, such as complementary springs acting thereon from two separate directions, to provide longitudinal resistance. Floating lock 1200 effectively moves longitudinally when acted upon by filter key 500 and is forced partially back toward its original position after fingers 520 of filter key 500 have passed through gap 1220. Upon partial retraction, the fingers 520 align behind or below the fingers 1230 of the 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 the locking member or floating lock 1200 depicting a projection or drive key 1210a located at one end of the floating lock 1200 on a longitudinal or side panel 1240. The drive key 1210a is located on the opposite longitudinal panel of the floating lock 1200 opposite a similar drive key 1210b (not shown). Both drive keys are designed with inclined surfaces for slidable interaction with wings 560a, b of boss 550 on filter key 500. Each drive key is preferably integrally manufactured with floating lock 1200; however, the drive key may be manufactured separately and attached to the longitudinal panel of floating lock 1200 by attachment means known in the art. As shown in fig. 8C, below the drive key 1210a is a position key or physical stop 1250 that is preferably formed with a support sidewall 1260 of the floating lock 1200. As shown in fig. 8B, the position key 1250 is disposed between the driving keys 1210a, B. The position keys 1250 may be integrally formed with the side walls 1260 or may be attached to the side walls 1260 separately by any means acceptable in the art (e.g., adhesive, welding, gluing, press-fitting, etc.). The position key 1250 acts as a physical stop to ensure that excessive movement of the floating lock 1200 is prevented. The distance that the position key 1250 is positioned below the drive keys 1210a, b is designed to accommodate the insertion of the boss 550 of the filter key 500. Upon insertion of filter key 500 into floating lock 1200, boss 550 passes through gap 1270 in floating lock 1200 formed by the space between drive keys 1210a, b. Wings 560a, b of boss 550 extend outwardly relative to the width of boss 550, moving laterally between side wall 1260 and drive keys 1210a, b. In this way, wings 560a, b keep floating lock 1200 from retracting to its original position when boss 550 is inserted. At any time, floating lock 1200 is subjected to a retracting force of an elastic member such as a series spring, which tends to hold floating lock 1200 in 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 displace floating lock 1200 longitudinally off-center under the force of the resilient retractive force. 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 of the insertion process, the tension retractive force displaces floating lock 1200 toward its original position.

Once wings 560a, b reach position key 1250 and the user releases the insertion force initially applied to the filter housing assembly, the extraction force from closing plug spring 1110 dominates. These forces urge the filter housing assembly axially outward, away from floating lock 1200. Since wings 560a, b are no longer trapped between drive keys 1210a, b and side wall 1260, floating lock 1200 will tend to move longitudinally, partially toward its original position, as filter key 500 moves slightly axially outward. At this point, wings 560a, b interact with edge angles 1280a, b to push away from a central position, move filter key 500, and engage or contact faces 1300a, b to prevent retraction of the filter housing. Fig. 8D depicts an exploded view of drive key 1210a with edge angle 1290a and face 1300 a.

The fingers 520 of the filter key 500 are now aligned with the fingers 1230 of the floating lock 1200 and remain in contact in the vertical plane in the axial direction, thereby preventing extraction of the filter housing assembly from the filter base.

Fig. 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 seal with the body. The top portion 614 is depicted as being substantially dome-shaped to facilitate the filter housing assembly as a pressurized container; however, it may be a flat surface if design constraints are required. The cylindrical body 612 and the housing top portion 614 share a longitudinal axial centerline 616. A protrusion 618 extends axially upward from the top portion 614 and radially outward about the axial center 616. Dimensionally, the protrusions 618 extend upwardly from the top surface of the housing top portion 614 about 0.15 to 0.35 inches, preferably 0.24 inches. Housing 610 may contain therein a filter medium for filtering a fluid, may function as a sump, or may function as a bypass cartridge without filter medium. The housing 610 is further adapted to house a connection assembly 665 that is comprised of an electronic circuit component 660 and a housing 662 for housing the electronic circuit component therein. The electronic circuit component 660 is illustrated in fig. 12-13 and in the following description as a printed circuit board 660, but 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 memory ("EPROM"), or any other type of analog, digital, or mixed signal integrated circuit ("IC") technology.

The filter housing 600 may include at least one stiffening rib 613 longitudinally located on the outer surface of the filter housing. The stiffening ribs 613 may be used as guides for inserting the filter housing assembly 600 into a shroud (not shown), which may be part of a mounting assembly, to ensure proper alignment with the filter base. The stiffening ribs 613 are preferably integrally formed with the filter housing 600, but may also be attached as a separate component. For example, as shown in fig. 12A, ribs 613 extend along the length of cylindrical body 612 parallel to axial centerline 616.

As shown in fig. 12A to 12E, the inlet port 620 is divided into three different sections: a first or top section 622, a second or middle section 623, and a third or bottom section 624. A third or bottom section 624 extends vertically upward in the longitudinal axial direction from the surface of the housing top portion 614 substantially parallel to the axial centerline 616. The inlet port bottom section 624 is separated from the middle section 623 by a seal 628. The inlet port top section 622 extends upwardly from the inlet port intermediate section 623 to the topmost surface of the port and is separated from the intermediate section 623 by a seal 627. Once the inlet port is inserted into the receiving filter base post, seals 627 and 628, respectively, prevent fluid exiting the aperture or cavity 640a of the inlet port middle section from contacting the outer surfaces of the inlet port top and bottom sections 622, 624. Seals 627 and 628 provide a circumferential press fit or sealing force against the inner cylindrical wall of the post of the filter base (not shown). The seals 627, 628 are normally held in place on the inlet port by insertion into a groove in the cylindrical outer surface of the inlet port such that the diameter D1 of the outermost seal radial extension is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner wall of the receiving post, thereby allowing the resiliently compressible seal to be compressed by the inner wall of the receiving post upon insertion, forming a fluid tight fit.

In at least one embodiment, the inlet port intermediate section 623 has a varying diameter D2 that is not equal to and less than D1 such that the inlet port intermediate section 623 is formed with an outer surface profile to allow fluid to flow around the intermediate section 623 after the inlet port 620 is inserted into its respective strut. The inlet fluid from the filter base post fluid ports is contained between the seals 627, 628 and the circumferential post inner wall. Fluid moves back and forth around the inlet port midsection and into the bore or cavity 640a of the inlet port midsection. In this way, the filter base post fluid ports may be located on opposite sides of the mid-section inlet port cavity, i.e., facing the mid-section outer wall, one hundred eighty degrees from the inlet port cavity.

In the embodiment depicted in fig. 12, the outer surface profile of the inlet intermediate section 623 is depicted in the form of an hourglass shape having a smaller diameter at its center than at the topmost or bottommost point of the intermediate section closest to the seals 627, 628. The body of the inlet port middle section may also be formed of other shapes, such as a smaller cylindrical, rectangular or triangular section of diameter less than D1, or a tapered structure, wherein the middle section 623 has at least one region in which its measured width or diameter is less than diameter D1, providing an annular space for fluid to flow around the middle section structure to allow fluid to exit the filter base input port into the struts to enter the holes or cavities 640a of the inlet port middle section.

In at least one embodiment, the inlet port 620 is substantially cylindrical at its top and bottom sections to correspond to its respective cylindrical cavity that houses the struts. The measurement of the outermost surface profile of the inlet port 620 at the seal 627, 628/strut inner wall interface (represented by diameter D1) may be between 0.25 and 0.45 inches, and optionally 0.36 inches, while the inlet mid-section diameter D2 of the inlet port 620 may be between 0.2 and 0.4 inches, and optionally 0.28 inches. The middle section diameter D2 is smaller than the diameter D1 and the diameter of the receiving strut to effect fluid flow around the inlet port middle section from the outlet port on one side of the strut to the inlet aperture 640a on the other side of the middle section. A fluid seal is maintained in the event of such fluid flow, thereby preventing fluid from contacting the outer surface of the inlet port top or bottom section. This allows the outer surface profile of the inlet intermediate section 623 to be smaller than and within the compression seal diameter D1 at the post inner wall of the filter base. Fluid is allowed to flow around the inlet intermediate section, contained by the seal, and flow outside the intermediate section is inhibited.

The outlet port 630 similarly has a substantially cylindrical body 631 having a first or top section 632, a second or middle section 633, and a third or bottom section 634 extending vertically upward in the longitudinal axial direction from the top surface of the housing top portion 614 substantially parallel to the top portion axial center 616. The outlet port top section 632 extends downwardly from its highest point to the outlet port intermediate section 633 and is separated from the intermediate section 633 by a seal 638. The outlet port bottom section 634 extends upwardly from the housing top portion 614 to an outlet port intermediate section 633 and is separated from the intermediate section 633 by a seal 637. Seals 637, 638 prevent fluid exiting the bore or cavity 640b of the outlet port intermediate section 633 from contacting the outer surfaces of the outlet port top and bottom sections 632, 634, respectively. Seals 637, 638 provide a circumferential press fit or sealing force to the inner cylindrical wall of the filter base (not shown) that houses the struts. The seals 637, 638 are typically held in place on the outlet port by being inserted into grooves on the outer wall surface of the outlet port such that the diameter D3 of the outermost seal radial extension is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner wall of the receiving post, allowing the resiliently compressible seal to be compressed by the inner wall of the receiving post upon insertion, forming a fluid tight fit. In a similar manner to the inlet port, the outlet port intermediate section 633 may be formed in other shapes that allow fluid to flow around the intermediate section when the intermediate section is placed within a receiving filter base post.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 12, the outer surface profile of the outlet intermediate section 633 is shown in the form of an hourglass shape having a smaller diameter D4 at its center than at the topmost or bottommost point of the intermediate section closest to the seals 637, 638. The body of the outlet port intermediate section may also be formed of other shapes, such as a smaller cylindrical, rectangular or triangular section of diameter less than D3, or a tapered configuration, wherein the intermediate section 633 has at least one region in which the surface profile width or radial extension remains within the limits of diameter D3 to allow fluid exiting the bore or cavity 640b of the outlet port intermediate section and contained by the seals 637, 638 and circumferential strut inner walls to flow around the outlet port intermediate section to opposite sides for input to the filter base from the bore in the receiving strut.

The inlet port sections 622-624 and the outlet port sections 632-634 may each have separate and distinct outer surface profiles from each other. In the alternative, the inlet port sections 622-624 and the outlet port sections 632-634 may have substantially similar outer surface topologies. In any event, the respective intermediate sections will have an outer surface topology (e.g., an outer diameter in a substantially cylindrical embodiment) with an outer surface profile having a diameter or width that is less than the amount of inner wall that houses the filter base post sufficient to create an annular gap that allows fluid to flow around the intermediate sections between their respective upper and lower seals.

The outermost diameter D3 of the outlet port 630 at the seal/post inner wall interface may be measured between 0.25 and 0.45 inches, and optionally 0.36 inches, while the outlet mid-section 633 diameter D4 of the outlet port 630 may be between 0.2 and 0.4 inches, and optionally 0.28 inches. The smaller radial extension D4 of the intermediate section is smaller than the diameter D3 to achieve fluid flow around the outlet port intermediate section. This allows the outer surface profile of the inlet intermediate section 623 to extend radially less than the compression seal diameter at the strut inner wall of the manifold.

Both the inlet port 620 and the outlet port 630 include holes or cavities 640a, 640b for fluid passage on their respective intermediate sections 623, 633. The inlet and outlet port apertures or cavities 640a, b are exposed in a direction away from the filter base post aperture in fluid communication with apertures 640a, b. The relative arrangement of the apertures is helpful because, if the inlet aperture 640a and outlet aperture 640b are in a direction facing the filter base post aperture (defined as a forward direction only by convention) as the filter cartridge is withdrawn, any fluid exiting the apertures 640a, 640b may drip onto the electronic components and electronic surfaces filled on the electronic circuit components or printed circuit board 660 located in front of the filter keys in the PCB housing 662. Once the filter housing 610 is installed in the filter base or manifold, the chambers 640a, b of the inlet and outlet ports are designed to face away from the filter base ports (not shown). Water flowing through the housing assembly 600 thus enters and exits the chambers 640a, b, respectively, flows around the intermediate sections 623, 633 of the inlet and outlet ports within the manifold post, and continues into the ports. The variable width, radial extension or diameter D2, D4 of the intermediate sections 623, 633, respectively, allows water to flow around the inlet and outlet port intermediate sections within the cylindrical cavity of the strut without creating excessive pressure that might otherwise force a leak past the seals 627, 628, 637, 638 and onto the filter housing assembly 600 that would otherwise damage electronics disposed on the printed circuit board 660, as further described below.

As shown in fig. 12E, the inlet port 620 and the outlet port 630 extend from the non-diameter chord line C1 of the housing top portion 614 and are substantially perpendicular to the non-diameter chord line C1. Moving the inlet and outlet ports away from the respective parallel diameters of the housing top portion helps to leave sufficient space on the housing top portion 614 to place the PC board housing 662 and PC board 660. The distance between the chord line C1 and the parallel diameter of the housing top portion 614 may be between 0.1 to 0.5 inches in size, and optionally 0.3 inches. The inlet and outlet ports are off-center from the diagonal to accommodate the remaining specific components of the housing assembly 600. The inlet port 620 and the outlet port 630 are spaced about 0.65 to 0.85 inches, and optionally 0.74 inches, from each other on chord line C1. Filter key 650 is centered on string C1 and perpendicularly intersects string C1.

A filter key 650 configured for mating attachment to a filter base or manifold is located or connected to the housing 610 and extends upwardly in a direction parallel to the axial center 616 of the housing top portion 614. The filter key 650 includes a base 651 having a front transverse side 652a and a rear or back transverse side 652b with a recess 654 therethrough for receiving the projection 618 on the housing top portion 614, and a longitudinal side 653 extending substantially parallel to the projection 618, as shown in fig. 13A-13C. Filter key 650 is secured to housing top portion 614 via the connection between groove 654 and protrusion 618.

The base 651 extends upwardly along the housing top portion axial center 616, having an exposed front face 652a and a rear face 652b, respectively, and two exposed longitudinal sides 653a, b. The cross-section of the base 651 in a plane parallel to the front and back sides 652a, 652b depicts longitudinal sides 653a, b that taper inwardly by extending upwardly and then protrude upwardly parallel to the central axis to a top surface supporting an attachment member such as a finger 655, as discussed further below.

Fingers 655 extend from the top of the base 651 (and in at least one other embodiment, a plurality of extending fingers), the fingers 655 extending substantially parallel to the exposed front and rear sides or sides 652a, b and substantially perpendicular to the housing top portion axial centerline 616. The finger 655 further includes a contact portion 656 on one side that is substantially angled and exposed in a first direction relative to the housing top portion, having a cam surface for slidably mating with the filter base drive key. In a second embodiment, adjacent sides 657 (shown in fig. 13) are introduced to form a second angle and are exposed in a second direction relative to the housing top portion such that the first angle and the second angle are unequal.

Once mounted on the housing top portion, the filter key is spaced approximately 0.4 to 0.6 inches from either of the ports 620, 630, and optionally 0.53 inches, as measured on chord C1 from the nearest outer surface point of either port on each side of the filter key. In this way, the filter key is centered between the ports. The filter key extends forward (away from the exposed face of the holes 640a, b) beyond the chord line C1, through the center of both ports, such that the filter key is not centered on the chord line C1 in the length direction and extends in one direction (typically defined only as forward) farther from the inlet and outlet ports than in the opposite direction.

A PCB housing or bracket 662 having a recess 663 formed for receiving the printed circuit board 660 extends forwardly from the filter key base. As shown in fig. 13A-13C, the PCB housing and recess may be attached to the filter key 650 or preferably integrally formed with the filter key 650. Alternatively, the printed circuit board 660 may be directly connected to the filter housing 610 without the need for a PCB housing structure, as shown in fig. 14A to 14D.

The filter key may extend partially within recess 663, as shown in fig. 13A. The filter key extension 650a may shape an attached PC board to receive the extension 650a such that the PC board has an elongated "horseshoe" footprint around the extension. As shown in fig. 13A, the recess 663 is substantially linear at one end 663A extending outwardly from the filter key base exposed sides 653A, b. The opposite side 663b of the recess 663 may be curved as shown. PCB housing 662 may have a length (from outer wall to outer wall) of about 1.47 to 1.67 inches (optionally 1.57 inches) and a lateral or shorter dimension of about 0.63 to 0.83 inches (optionally 0.73 inches). The recess 663 is depicted as having a longitudinal dimension (from inner wall to inner wall) that may have a length of about 1.37 to 1.57 inches (and optionally 1.47 inches) at its substantially linear end 663a, and a transverse or shorter dimension of about 0.52 to 0.72 inches (and optionally 0.62 inches) in length, such that the recess resembles a generally rectangular basin with curved corners on the end furthest from the filter key.

The PCB housing 662 is connected to or integral with the longitudinal sides 653a, b of the filter key and extends past and is centered on the exposed sides 652a, b of the filter key, respectively, on each side. The PCB housing bottom surface is preferably formed in the shape of the housing top portion 614 when mounted. Since the housing top portion 614 is depicted in one embodiment as a dome shape, the PCB housing bottom surface is concave facing the housing top portion.

The PCB housing side walls extend upward from the PCB housing bottom surface such that the top edge of the PCB housing is flat in a plane perpendicular to the housing axial center 616. The PCB housing is designed to accommodate a relatively straight, flat PC board. Alternatively, the PCB housing may be shaped in a non-planar manner to accommodate printed circuit boards that are not shaped as flat panels and to allow for proper electrical connection of the filter housing 610 with connectors on the filter base.

The PCB housing may alternatively be designed to extend beyond the back exposed face of the filter key (not shown). In another alternative, PCB housing 662 may appear as a distinct piece that itself is separate from filter key 650 for separate connection to housing assembly 600 (not shown). In yet another alternative, PCB housing 662 may be integral with housing 610 at top portion 614 or elsewhere on housing body 612 according to manufacturing requirements.

The PCB housing 662 further includes exposed posts 664 disposed therein for mechanically supporting the printed circuit board 660. Other extension members or flanges extending inwardly from the recess sidewalls 663a, b are used to support the PC board around its perimeter.

The PCB includes pads 661 for electrically connecting to connectors located on the filter base. Pad 661 is optionally gold plated and is designed for brushing interaction with a corresponding connector terminal (not shown) during insertion and removal of the filter assembly from its respective chassis. In an embodiment, the PC board includes four pads (two sets of two pad connectors) for electrical connection. The pads are upwardly exposed on the PC board and are preferably rectangular footprint shaped to accommodate tolerances in the filter base connector, particularly during pushing movements for insertion and extraction of the filter cartridge.

In operation, the printed circuit board 660 assists the processor in utilizing an encrypted authentication element with protected hardware-based key storage (up to 16 keys). Electronic components such as authentication chips, capacitors, resistors, diodes, LEDs, etc. are supported on the bottom side of the PCB opposite the pads 661. The printed circuit board performs the cryptographic function using a secure hash algorithm ("SHA") with a 256-bit key length. The circuit board 660 can also house additional electronics for storing information about the estimated water flow (through the filter housing assembly) and total filter usage time. This information is transmitted via a main control board, which is optionally mounted on or in the refrigerator, and further monitors the filter usage time and estimated water flow rate, as well as other variables.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection of the filter housing assembly 600 to a mating filter base may be accomplished using an electrical connector or harness assembly such as that of fig. 15-18. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the wiring harness assembly described herein is merely one illustrative means of making an electrical connection between a filter housing assembly and a mating filter base in accordance with the present invention and does not preclude other means of making such an electrical connection.

Referring now to fig. 15 and 16, an illustrative wiring 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 illustrated embodiment, four conductors 716 are provided, but other numbers of conductors 716 may be provided to accommodate electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the present invention. In typical applications, the wiring harness 710 is operably connected to, positioned on, and/or forms part of a filter base for mating with a complementary filter housing assembly. Here, in some embodiments, the first connector 712 of the wiring harness 710 is operably coupled (e.g., electrically and mechanically coupled) with a corresponding connection component of the filter base assembly.

A contact 718 is provided at one end of the conductor 716. The contacts 718 are configured to be inserted into a housing 720 of the first connector 712. Although the crimp contact 718 is shown, the contact 718 is not limited thereto. 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 a circuit 910 of a household appliance, such as a refrigerator 900 (fig. 31).

As best shown in fig. 16-18, the second connector 714 has a spring contact 722 disposed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, four contacts 722 are provided so that each conductor 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 a material having suitable electrical and mechanical properties.

The contact 722 has a wire termination portion 724, a transition or flexible portion 726, and a mating portion or substrate engagement portion 728 for connection to a mating connection surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component (e.g., circuit pads of the electronic circuit component 742 or the connection device 740). The wire terminating portion 724 has a fold region 730 disposed proximate the free end 732. Slots 734 are provided in fold regions 730 to form insulation displacement slots that cooperate with conductors 716 to place contacts 722 into electrical engagement with conductors 716.

A transition or flexible portion 726 extends from the wire termination portion 724. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or flexible portion 726 extends substantially at a right angle from the wire termination portion 724, although other angles may be used. Protrusions 736 extend from wire termination portion 724 to transition or flexible portion 726 to provide additional strength and stability between wire termination portion 724 and transition or flexible portion 726. The shape, size, and positioning of the protrusions 736 can vary depending on the amount of stiffness or resiliency desired for the contact.

The substrate engagement portion 728 extends from the transition or flexible portion 726. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engaging portion 728 extends substantially at right angles from the transition or flexible portion 726, although other angles may be used. The substrate engagement portion or mating portion 728 has a curved contact portion 738 that is configured to be positioned to mechanically and electrically engage with a circuit pad or connection device 740 (e.g., a circuit pad or connection device 740 having a corresponding connection assembly of electronic circuit components 742, such as the pad 661 of the printed circuit board 660 of the filter housing assembly 600 described with respect to fig. 12-13). In at least one embodiment, the wiring harness 710 is positioned within a water filter base assembly of a household appliance such as a refrigerator. Here, the wiring harness 710 may be positioned within a filter base configured to receive a corresponding mating filter housing or cartridge assembly (e.g., a water cartridge). In such an embodiment, the wiring harness 710 may be used to establish an electrical connection between the electrical circuitry of the refrigerator and the connection assembly of the cartridge (e.g., water cartridge). Protrusions 744 are provided on the curved contact portions 738 to provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact portions 738. The shape, size, and positioning of the projection 744 may vary depending on the amount of stiffness or resiliency desired for the contact.

The connector housing 746 of the second connector 714 has an upper surface 748 and an oppositely facing lower surface 750. A contact receiving housing 752 extends from the upper surface 748 in a direction away from the lower surface 750. In the illustrated embodiment, four contact receiving housings 752 are provided such that each contact 722 may be positioned in a contact receiving housing 752. However, other numbers of contact receiving housings 752 may be provided based on the number of contacts 722 and conductors 716. The contact receiving housing 752 is sized to receive therein a free end 732 of the contact 722 and a portion of the folded region 730 of the wire termination portion 724.

Conductor-receiving conduit 754 is disposed between upper surface 748 and lower surface 750. Conductor-receiving conduit 754 is sized to receive a portion of conductor 716 therein. The conductor-receiving conduits 754 are disposed in line with the contact-receiving housing 752 such that the conductors 716 positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits 754 extend through the contact-receiving housing 752.

Contact receiving protrusions 756 extend from lower surface 750 in a direction away from upper surface 748. In the illustrated embodiment, four contact receiving projections 756 are provided such that each contact 722 may be positioned in a contact receiving projection 756. However, other numbers of contact receiving protrusions 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 slot 758 is sized to receive and retain a portion of the fold region 30 of the wire termination portion 724 therein.

During assembly of the second electrical connector 714 and the wiring harness 710, the conductors 716 are inserted into the conductor-receiving conduit 754 such that the ends of the conductors 716 extend through the contact-receiving housing 752 in the conductor-receiving conduit 754.

With the conductors 716 fully inserted, the contacts 722 are inserted into the connector housing 746 from the bottom surface 750. The folded region 730 of the wire termination portion 724 is inserted into the slot 758 of the contact receiving protrusion 756. As the contact 722 continues to be inserted, the slot 734 of the folded region 730 of the wire termination portion 724 engages the conductor 716 positioned in the conductor receiving conduit 754, displacing the insulation of the conductor 716 as is known for insulation displacement contacts, and providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the contact 722 and the conductor 716.

With the wire termination portion 724 properly positioned in the slot 758 of the contact receiving boss 756, the wire termination portion 724 is held in place 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 the printed circuit board 660) moves into engagement with the curved portions 738 of the substrate engagement portions 728 of the contacts 722. When this occurs, the resilient contact 722 flexes (e.g., compresses, deforms, etc.) from one position to another such that the flexing portion 738 of the substrate engagement portion 728 of the contact 722 exerts a force on a mating connection surface or circuit pad 740 (also referred to as one or more connection devices 740) of the electronic circuit component 742 (e.g., circuit pad 661 of the printed circuit board 660) to maintain the contact 722 in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pad 740.

When mating occurs between the electronic circuit component 742 and the contacts 722, movement of the electronic circuit component 742 (e.g., the printed circuit board 660) toward the electrical connector 714 causes the contacts 722 to elastically deform or deflect 4mm or more to provide a sufficient mating force between the contacts 722 and the circuit pads 740. When the contact 722 is elastically deflected, the wire termination portion 724 is held in a fixed position in the slot 758 of the contact receiving protrusion 756. The substrate engagement portion 728 moves in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contact 722 such that the transition or flexible portion 726 pivots about the point at which the transition or flexible portion 726 engages the wire termination portion 724. The rigidity of the point at which the transition or flexible portion 726 engages the wire termination portion 724 and the rigidity of the projection 736 determine the mating force applied by the contact 722 to the circuit pad 740.

After mating of the circuit pads 740 with the contacts 722 occurs, the electrical connector 714 and the electronic circuit component 742 (e.g., the printed circuit board 660) are held in place by latches or other means to prevent unwanted withdrawal of the circuit pads 740 from the contacts 722.

Referring now to fig. 19-21, a second illustrative wiring 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 illustrated embodiment, four conductors 7116 are provided, but other numbers of conductors 7116 may be provided to accommodate electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the invention.

A contact 7118 is disposed at one end of the conductor 7116. The contacts 7118 are configured to be inserted into a housing 7120 of the first connector 7112. Although the crimp contact 7118 is shown, the contact 7118 is not limited thereto. 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 circuitry of a household appliance (e.g., a refrigerator).

As best shown in fig. 19 and 20, the second connector 7114 has resilient contacts 7122 disposed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, four contacts 7122 are provided so that each conductor 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 a material having suitable electrical and mechanical properties.

The contacts 7122 have a housing terminating portion 7124, a transitional or flexible portion 7126, and a mating portion or substrate engaging portion 7128 for connection to a mating connection surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component (e.g., circuit pads of an electronic circuit component 7142 or a connection device 7140). The housing termination portion 7124 has a housing engagement member 7130 extending from a vertical member 7132. A mounting opening 7134 (fig. 21) is provided in the housing engagement member 7130. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the housing engagement member 7130 extends substantially at a right angle from the vertical member 7132, although other angles may be used. The projections 7136 extend from the housing engagement member 7130 to the vertical member 7132 to provide additional strength and stability. The shape, size, and positioning of the projections 7136 may vary depending on the amount of stiffness or resiliency desired for the contact.

A transition or flexible portion 7126 extends from the housing terminating portion 7124. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or flexible portion 7126 extends substantially at right angles from the housing terminating portion 7124, although other angles may be used.

The substrate engaging portion 7128 extends from the transition or flexible portion 7126. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engaging portion 7128 extends substantially at right angles from the transition or flexible portion 7126, although other angles may be used. The substrate engagement portion 7128 or mating portion has a curved contact portion 7138 that is configured to be positioned to mechanically and electrically engage with a circuit pad 7140 (e.g., pad 661 of printed circuit board 660 shown in fig. 12-14) of a mating electronic circuit component 7142 (fig. 19). The protrusions 7144 are provided on the curved contact portions 7138 to provide additional strength and stability between the curved contact portions 7138. The shape, size, and positioning of the projections 7144 may vary depending on the amount of stiffness or resiliency desired for the contact.

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, the opening 7152 extends from the upper surface 7148 to the lower surface 7150. In the illustrated embodiment, 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 opening 7152 is sized to receive mounting hardware 7154 therein.

An annular contact 7156 is disposed at an end of the conductor 7116. The annular contact 7156 is disposed in line with the opening 7152. The ring contact 7156 has an opening 7158 to receive mounting hardware 7154 therein.

During assembly of the second electrical connector 7114 and the wiring harness 7110, the openings 7158 of the annular contacts 7156 of the conductors 7116 are positioned in line with the openings 7152. The mounting opening 7134 of the contact 7122 is also positioned in line with the opening 7152. Mounting hardware 7154 is inserted through openings 7158, opening 7152, and opening 7134 to secure conductors 7116 and contacts 7122 to connector housing 7146. The mounting hardware 7154 also provides electrical connection between the annular contact 7156 of the conductor 7116 and the contact 7122.

With the contacts 7122 properly secured to the housing 7146 of the electrical connector 7114, the printed circuit board 7142 moves into engagement with the curved portion 7138 of the substrate-engaging portion 7128 of the contacts 7122. When this occurs, the resilient contacts 7122 flex (e.g., compress or deform) from one position to another such that the curved portions 7138 of the substrate-engaging portions 7128 of the contacts 7122 exert a force on the mating connection surfaces of the electronic circuit component or printed circuit board 7142 or circuit pads 7140 to maintain the contacts 7122 in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads 7140.

When mating occurs between the printed circuit board 7142 and the contacts 7122, movement of the electronic circuit component 7142 toward the electrical connector 7114 causes the contacts 7122 to elastically deform or deflect 4mm or more to provide sufficient mating force between the contacts 7122 and the circuit pads 7140. When the contacts 7122 are resiliently deflected, the housing engagement member 7130 and the vertical member 7132 of the housing termination portion 7124 remain in a fixed position. The substrate engagement portion 7128 moves in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contact 7122 such that the transition or flexible portion 7126 pivots about the point at which the transition or flexible portion 7126 engages the vertical member 7132. The rigidity of the point at which the transition or flexible portion 7126 joins the vertical member 7132 determines the mating force applied by the contact 7122 to the circuit pad 7140.

After the circuit pads 7140 mate with the contacts 7122, the electrical connector 7114 and the circuit board 7142 are held in place by latches or other means to prevent unwanted withdrawal of the circuit pads 7140 from the contacts 7122.

Fig. 22 depicts another embodiment of a filter base assembly according to the present invention adapted to be operably connected to a wiring harness assembly to make an electrical connection between the filter base and a complementary mating filter housing assembly, such as filter housing assembly 600. The filter base 1000 includes a base platform 1010 having a housing 1011 for holding a locking member, such as a floating or sliding lock 1012, in place while allowing the locking member to move freely in a direction perpendicular to the axial extension of the struts 1001a, b from and back to its central position during insertion and extraction of a mating filter housing assembly, such as the filter housing assembly 600. Posts 1001a, b are provided on either side of the housing 1011 for receiving the inlet and outlet ports of a mating filter housing. In one or more embodiments, the floating lock 1012 may be identical in structure to the floating lock 12, as described above with respect to fig. 3A-3E. In other embodiments, housing 1011 may also hold floating lock 1200 and floating lock 1212 of fig. 8. For simplicity, reference is primarily made to the interaction of housing 1011 with floating lock 1012 (e.g., locking member or floating lock 12), but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the applicability of housing 1011 also includes use with floating locks 1200 and 1212. The housing 1011 includes a protruding enclosure 1002 that is larger than the floating lock 1012 and is configured to enclose the floating lock 1012 therein. The package 1002 prevents excessive movement of the floating lock 1012 and protects the floating lock from extraneous, accidental movement when installed.

The inlet/outlet struts 1001a, b are located on opposite sides of the enclosure 1002 on the laterally extending portion 1013 of the base platform housing 1011, i.e., the portion of the housing 1011 extending perpendicular to the longer or longitudinal side of the housing 1011. Ports 1003a, b represent fluid inlet and outlet ports and extend along parallel axes to struts 1001a, b, respectively, and are connected to water lines of the refrigerator. Closing struts 1001a, b includes a closing plug (not shown) that acts as a valve seal to stop fluid flow when the filter cartridge is removed. The shut-off struts 1001a, b are preferably cylindrical, containing spring-actuated O-ring seals for sealing the inlet and outlet lines during cartridge removal. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 22 and 27, the base platform 1010 is integrally formed with the struts 1001a, b, the struts 1001a, b being disposed on either longitudinal side of the base platform housing 1011 and offset from the midpoint of the length of the housing 1011 in the direction of one end thereof. Each inlet/outlet leg 1001a, b has an upper leg portion 1004a, b extending vertically upward in the axial direction relative to the top surface of the base platform 1010 and a lower leg portion 1005a, b extending downwardly in the axial direction relative to the base platform 1010. In at least one embodiment, the struts 1001a, b can be spaced about 0.65 to 0.85 inches, and optionally 0.74 inches, from each other to accommodate the insertion of inlet and outlet ports of a mating filter housing assembly, such as inlet port 620 and outlet port 630 of filter housing assembly 600. The housing 1011 includes a curved portion shaped to surround the closure struts 1001a, b and further includes a central aperture 1031 which allows longitudinal movement (parallel to the longitudinal sides) of the locking member or floating lock 1012. As best shown in fig. 22A, the floating lock 1012 may include an extension member 1080 opposite the face configured with the extended attachment member or finger and gap (fig. 22) to allow a resilient component, such as a coil spring or torsion spring, to act thereon. In these embodiments, the extension member 1080 is acted upon by a resilient device held within the spring housing 1090, as shown in fig. 22A. In an embodiment, the spring housing 1090 is preferably attached to the filter base 1000 by a snap fit, although other attachment schemes known in the art, such as adhesive, welding, and various mechanical fasteners, may be readily employed.

Referring now to fig. 23-24, a wiring harness 810 (also referred to as an electrical connector 810) for mechanically connecting with the filter base 1000 is shown. The wiring harness 810 includes a first connector 812, a second connector 814, and wires or conductors 816 extending therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, four conductors 816 are provided, but other numbers of conductors 816 may be provided to accommodate electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the invention. In a typical application, the wiring harness 810 is operatively connected to, positioned on, and/or forms part of a filter base for mating with a complementary filter housing assembly (e.g., as shown in fig. 25-29 and described in more detail below). Here, and in at least some other embodiments of the invention, the first connector 812 of the wiring harness 810 is operatively coupled (e.g., electrically coupled and mechanically coupled) with a corresponding connection component of the filter base 1000.

A contact (not shown) is disposed at a first end of conductor 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 as contacts 718 and 7118, as shown in fig. 17 and 21, respectively; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate 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 more embodiments, the first connector 812 is connected to a circuit of a household appliance such as a refrigerator.

The second connector 814 has a spring contact 822 disposed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, four contacts 822 are provided so that each conductor 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 a material having suitable electrical and mechanical properties.

The contacts 822 have wire termination portions 824, transition or flexible portions 826 and substrate engagement portions 828 or mating portions for connection to mating connection surfaces of a corresponding connection assembly having electronic circuit components (e.g., circuit pads 661 of the printed circuit board 660 of the filter housing assembly 600). The wire termination portion 824 may have a folded region disposed proximate to a free end (not shown). Slots may be provided in the fold-over region to form insulation displacement slots that cooperate with the conductors 816 to place the contacts 822 into electrical engagement with the conductors 816. In one or more embodiments, the free ends of contacts 822 can be configured in a manner similar to contacts 722, with fold region 730 adjacent to free end 732 and including slot 734 therein, as shown in fig. 18; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the contacts 822 is not so limited.

A transition or flexible portion 826 extends from the wire termination portion 824. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or flexible portion 826 extends from the wire termination portion 824 at an obtuse angle, but other angles, such as substantially right angles, may also be used. Protrusions 836 may extend from wire termination portion 824 to transition or flexible portion 826 to provide additional strength and stability between wire termination portion 824 and transition or flexible portion 826. The shape, size, and positioning of the projections 836 may vary depending on the amount of stiffness or resiliency desired for the contact.

The substrate engaging portion 828 extends from the transition or flexible portion 826. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate-engaging portion 828 extends upward from the transition or flexible portion 826 at substantially a right angle, although other angles may be used. The substrate engagement portion or mating portion 828 has a curved contact portion 838 that is configured to be positioned to mechanically and electrically engage with a circuit pad or connection device (e.g., circuit pad 661 of printed circuit board 660 of filter housing assembly 600) having a corresponding connection assembly of electronic circuit components, as described with respect to fig. 12-14. In certain embodiments, the wiring harness 810 is positioned within a water filter base assembly of a household appliance. In some embodiments, the household appliance is a refrigerator. Here, the wiring harness 810 is positioned within a filter base 1000 configured to receive a corresponding mating filter housing or cartridge assembly (e.g., a water cartridge). In such embodiments, the wiring harness 810 may be used to establish an electrical connection between the electrical circuitry of the refrigerator and a connection assembly of a filter cartridge (e.g., a water filter cartridge). In one or more embodiments, a protrusion may be provided on the curved contact portion 838 to provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact portion 838. The shape, size and positioning of the protrusions may vary depending on the amount of stiffness or elasticity of the contact desired.

The connector housing 846 of the second connector 814 has an upper surface 848 and an oppositely facing lower surface 850, the lower surface 850 including substantially planar extensions 849, 851 separated by a gapped recess 847, the gapped recess 847 for receiving a portion of the base platform package 1002 and the floating lock 1012 (fig. 27) disposed therebetween. The extensions 849, 851 are connected by an intermediate portion 853 such that the connector housing 846 forms a generally "U" shaped member for at least partially surrounding the package 1002 and the floating lock 1012. The intermediate portion 853 includes a slot 855 for receiving therein a resilient tab 1070 of the housing 1090 for securing the connector housing 846 to the filter base 1000, as shown, for example, in fig. 25-26. Connector housing 846 is preferably attached to housing 1011 by snap-fitting by inserting at least a portion of housing extensions 849, 851 into laterally extending slotted portions 1020a and 1020b, respectively, of base platform 1010 (fig. 22) to allow tabs 1070 to be received in connector housing slots 855, for example, by snap-fitting, although other attachment schemes known in the art, such as adhesive bonding, welding, and various mechanical fasteners, may be readily employed.

A contact housing case 852, positioned on each planar extension 849, 851 or integral with each planar extension 849, 851, extends from the connector housing upper surface 848 in a direction away from the lower surface 850. In the illustrated embodiment, four contact housing shells 852 are provided such that each contact 822 can be positioned in a contact housing shell 852. However, other numbers of contact housing shells 852 may be provided based on the number of contacts 822 and conductors 816. The contact housing 852 is sized to receive the free ends of the contacts 822 and a portion of the wire termination portion 824 therein.

Conductor-receiving conduit 854 is disposed integrally with upper surface 848 and lower surface 850. Conductor-receiving conduit 854 is sized to receive a portion of conductor 816 therein. The conductor-receiving conduit 854 is disposed in line with the contact-receiving housing 852 such that the conductors 816 positioned in the conductor-receiving conduit 854 extend through the contact-receiving housing 852.

The contact receiving protrusion 856 extends from the connector housing lower surface 850 in a direction away from the upper surface 848. In the illustrated embodiment, four contact receiving projections 856 are provided such that each contact 822 may be positioned in a contact receiving projection 856. However, other numbers of contact receiving projections 856 may be provided based on the number of contacts 822 and conductors 816. A slot 858 is provided in the contact accommodating protrusion 856. The slot 858 is sized to receive and retain a portion of the wire termination portion 824 therein.

During assembly of the second electrical connector 814 and the wiring harness 810, the conductor 816 is inserted into the conductor-receiving conduit 854 such that an end of the conductor 816 extends through the contact-receiving housing 852 in the conductor-receiving conduit 854.

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 portion 824 is inserted into the slot 858 of the contact receiving protrusion 856. As the contact 822 continues to be inserted, the wire termination portion 824 engages the conductor 816 positioned in the conductor-receiving conduit 854, thereby causing displacement of the insulation of the conductor 816, as is known for insulation displacement type contacts, and providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the contact 822 and the conductor 816.

With the wire termination portion 824 properly positioned in the slot 858 of the contact receiving protrusion 856, the wire termination portion 824 is held in place by barbs, interference fit, or other known means.

Referring now to fig. 28-29, a filter base 1000 having an electrical connector or harness 810 is shown connected to a corresponding mating filter housing assembly 600. In one or more embodiments, the interaction between the filter key 650 and the floating lock 1012 of the filter housing assembly 600 is the same as described above with respect to the interaction between the filter key 5 and the floating lock 12. The filter key 650 includes at least one finger or extended attachment member for mating or interlocking with a corresponding protrusion or drive key 1023a, b located on a longitudinal side of the floating lock 1012 such that when the filter key 650 is inserted to mate with the floating lock 1012, the filter key attachment member slidably contacts the drive key to move the floating lock 1012 longitudinally an increment away from its original position to allow the filter key finger to move back and forth between the gaps on the floating lock 1012. Once the fingers have passed between the corresponding gaps on the floating lock 1012, the floating lock 1012 is slidably restrained under tension, and the floating lock 1012 is partially returned to its original position by the tension retractive force such that the filter key fingers align or interlock with at least one protrusion or drive key on the floating lock 1012 and the alignment resists any direct outward axial extraction force.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in fig. 30, the 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 that are shaped differently than the remaining drive keys 1023a, b to facilitate interlocking or latching between the filter key 650 and the floating lock 1012, for example if the filter housing is inserted into the filter base too slowly or with insufficient axial insertion force. As best shown in fig. 30A, the drive key 1024 includes a receiving wedge 1029 having an extension frame portion 1030 (as compared to drive keys 1023a, b) to capture the attachment members or fingers of the filter key opposite the beveled edge 1021. As shown in fig. 30, the drive keys 1024a, 1024b are positioned at one end of the floating lock 1012, with the spaced protrusions or drive keys 1023a, b forming the remainder of the longitudinal sides of the lock; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, either of the drive keys 1023a, b may be replaced with the drive key 1024 without adversely affecting the intended interlocking function. Upon insertion, when the fingers of the filter key contact the drive keys 123a, b and 1024, the floating lock 1012 moves from its initial position against the retractive force and moves in accordance with the contacting angled portions or edges 58 and 1021. Once the wings of the fingers of the filter key clear the lip 1027 of the drive key, the floating lock 1012 is not disabled from reacting to the retractive force and moves slightly back toward its original position, and the diamond-shaped wings are then captured by the receiving wedge 1029. This position locks filter key 650 to floating lock 1012 against any direct axial extraction force.

For simplicity, further detailed description of the interaction between filter key 650 and lock 1012 will not be repeated herein; however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the releasably secured locking mechanism of this embodiment of the present invention functions in a similar manner as described above with respect to the filter key 5 and the slidable lock 12, for example.

The electrical connection between the wiring harness 810 and the 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, the printed circuit board 660 moves into engagement with the curved contact portions 838 of the substrate engagement portions 828 of the contacts 822 of the wiring harness 810 as the filter housing assembly 600 is inserted into the filter base 1000. When this occurs, the spring contacts 822 flex (e.g., compress, deform, etc.) from one position to another such that the flex portions 838 of the substrate-engaging portions 828 of the contacts 822 exert a force on the mating connection surfaces or circuit pads 661 of the printed circuit board 660 to maintain the contacts 822 in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads 661.

When mating occurs between the printed circuit board 660 and the contacts 822, movement of the printed circuit board 660 toward the electrical connector 814 causes the contacts 822 to elastically deform or deflect 4mm or more to provide a sufficient mating force between the contacts 822 and the circuit pads 661. When the contacts 822 are resiliently deflected, the wire termination sections 824 remain in a fixed position in the slots 858 of the contact receiving projections 856. The substrate engagement portion 828 moves in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contact 822 such that the transition or flexible portion 826 pivots about the point at which the transition or flexible portion 826 engages the wire termination portion 824. The rigidity of the point at which the transition or flexible portion 826 engages the wire termination portion 824 and the rigidity of the protrusion 836 determine the mating force applied by the contact 822 to the circuit pad 661.

After the circuit pads 661 are mated with the contacts 822, the electrical connector 814 and the printed circuit board 660 are held in place by latches or other means to prevent unnecessary withdrawal of the circuit pads 661 from the contacts 822.

In particular embodiments, a household appliance (e.g., a refrigerator) may include a wire harness assembly as described herein, and the wire harness may be connected to circuitry of the household appliance. In the case where the household appliance is a refrigerator, the wiring harness may be part of a refrigerator manifold configured to house a water filter. In this regard, the electrical connection component or printed circuit board may be located external to the water filter and connected to the electrical circuitry of the water filter. When the water filter is inserted into the manifold, the wiring harness engages the printed circuit board to establish an electrical connection between the electrical circuitry of the refrigerator and the electrical circuitry of the water filter.

In one or more embodiments, electrical communication between the contacts 822 and the printed circuit board 660 can be used as part of an electronic authentication system for a filter housing or cartridge assembly (e.g., filter housing assembly 600). In such embodiments, the filter housing of the filter cartridge may further include a memory device, such as a microchip or integrated circuit, embedded therein that 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) cartridge, or to determine other criteria associated with the filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media in the replaceable cartridge has reached the end of its useful life.

It is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may be provided in a refrigerator 900 (e.g., within a 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 supply to the refrigerator will be in fluid communication with either the filter base 100 or the filter base 1000 and will inhibit flow when the filter housing assembly 200 or 600 is removed from the filter base 100, 1000. The closing plugs in struts 1101a, b or 1001a, b seal fluid flow until filter housing assemblies 200, 600 are inserted into filter bases 100, 1000. Upon insertion, fluid will flow to the filter housing assembly and filtered water will return from the filter housing assembly.

All of the components of the filter housing assembly 200, 600 and filter base 100, 1000 may be made using molded plastic components according to processes known in the art. The filter media may be made of known filter materials such as carbon, activated carbon, malodorous carbon, porous ceramics, and the like. Filter media useful in the filter housing of the present invention include a variety of filter media capable of reducing one or more harmful contaminants in water entering the filter housing apparatus. Representative filter media that can be used in the filter housing 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. In addition, the filter compositions disclosed in the following published applications may be used as filter media: US2005/0051487 and US 2005/0011827.

The filter assembly is preferably mounted on a surface adjacent to the water source. The mounting means is also preferably close to the use of the filtered water produced by the filter housing device.

While the invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific embodiment, 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 the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (30)

1. A filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly, the filter base comprising:

a base platform having fluid inlet and outlet struts, the struts being located on opposite sides of a shaped housing disposed therebetween, the shaped housing having longitudinal and transverse sides; and

a wiring harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the complementary mating filter housing assembly, the wiring harness assembly comprising:

a first connector;

a second connector;

a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector;

one or more contacts disposed on the second connector, the one or more contacts being bent 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 comprising a substantially planar extension integral with or connected to a laterally extending portion of the base platform and separated by a gapped recess for receiving at least a portion of the shaped housing therebetween, the laterally extending portion extending outwardly from a longitudinal side of the shaped housing, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and being sized to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts.

2. The filter base of claim 1, wherein the one or more contacts have a terminating portion mounted on the second connector at the first end portion, a flexible portion extending from the terminating portion, and a substrate engaging portion extending from the flexible portion, and wherein the one or more contact mating portions include the substrate engaging portion.

3. The filter base of claim 2, wherein the one or more contact termination portions have a folded region proximate a free end forming an insulation displacement slot that mates with the conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector.

4. The filter base of claim 3, further comprising a contact receiving protrusion extending from a lower surface of the connector housing, the contact receiving protrusion comprising a slot sized to receive and retain therein a portion of the folded region of the terminating portion of the one or more contacts.

5. The filter base of claim 1, further comprising a conductor-receiving conduit integral with the connector housing upper and lower surfaces, the conductor-receiving conduit sized to receive a portion of the conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the conductor positioned in the conductor-receiving conduit extends through a contact-receiving housing of the connector housing.

6. The filter base of claim 1, wherein the mating connection surface is a circuit pad of a printed circuit board of the complementary mating filter housing assembly, and wherein the one or more contact mating portions have a curved contact portion configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pad when the complementary mating filter housing assembly is received within the filter base.

7. The filter base of claim 1, wherein the extension portion of the connector housing is at least partially disposed within a laterally extending slotted portion of the base platform.

8. The filter base of claim 1, wherein the connector housing extension is connected by a middle portion having a slot for receiving a resilient tongue therein, the resilient tongue extending perpendicularly from a spring housing, the spring housing including at least one resilient member in contact with a locking member of the filter base to provide a retractive force when the locking member is acted upon by the complementary mating filter housing assembly during insertion or extraction of the filter housing assembly from the filter base.

9. The filter base of claim 8, wherein the spring housing resilient tongue is received in the connector housing central slot by a snap fit to connect the spring housing to the connector housing.

10. The filter base of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet and outlet struts are connected to or integral with a laterally extending portion of the base platform.

11. The filter base of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet and outlet struts are connected to or integral with the laterally extending portion of the base platform and at least a portion of the shaped housing extends longitudinally between the inlet and outlet struts.

12. The filter base of claim 1, further comprising inlet and outlet ports extending along axes parallel to the inlet and outlet struts.

13. A combination filter base and filter housing assembly, the combination comprising:

the filter base including a base platform having fluid inlet and outlet struts, the struts being located on opposite sides of a shaped housing disposed therebetween, the shaped housing having longitudinal and transverse sides;

a wiring harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the wiring harness assembly comprising:

a first connector;

a second connector;

a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector;

one or more contacts disposed on the second connector, the one or more contacts being bent from a first position to a second position when the bent contact portion of the one or more contacts engages the mating connection surface of the filter housing assembly; and

A connector housing including a substantially planar extension integral with or connected to a laterally extending portion of the base platform and separated by a gapped recess for receiving at least a portion of the shaped housing therebetween, the laterally extending portion extending outwardly from a longitudinal side of the shaped housing, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and being sized to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts; and

the filter housing assembly includes a filter housing for enclosing a filter media, the filter housing having a main body and a top portion for forming a fluid seal with the main body, the filter housing top portion including the mating connection surface for engaging the one or more contact mating portions to establish an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the mating connection surface being configured to mechanically and electrically engage the curved contact portions of the one or more contacts when the filter housing is received within the filter base.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the one or more contacts have a terminating portion mounted on the second connector at the first end portion, a flexible portion extending from the terminating portion, and a substrate engaging portion extending from the flexible portion, and wherein the curved contact portion of the one or more contacts comprises the substrate engaging portion.

15. The combination of claim 13, further comprising one or more contacts of the filter base that flex from a first position to a second position when the curved contact portion of the one or more contacts engages the mating connection surface of the filter housing top portion.

16. The combination of claim 13, wherein the mating connection surface is a circuit pad of a printed circuit board located on or connected to a top portion of the filter housing.

17. The combination of claim 16, further comprising a printed circuit board housing at 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.

18. The combination of claim 13, wherein the filter housing further comprises a memory device configured to store a unique identifier associated with the filter housing component.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the memory device comprises a microchip or an integrated circuit.

20. The combination of claim 18, wherein the filter housing comprises electronic circuit components that electrically connect the filter housing top portion mating connection surface to the memory device.

21. The combination of claim 18, wherein the filter housing comprises a recess that encapsulates the memory device.

22. The combination of claim 13, wherein the filter housing top portion includes an inlet port and an outlet port positioned along a chord line that does not intersect an axial center of the filter housing top portion such that a diametric line extending perpendicularly through the chord line is split into unequal portions, the inlet port and outlet port being housed within the inlet and outlet struts of the filter base.

23. The combination of claim 22, wherein the inlet and outlet ports of the filter housing top portion each extend vertically upward from the filter housing top portion in a direction parallel to the axial center, wherein the inlet and outlet ports each have at least one approximately cylindrical cross-section portion or section, including a first section forming the top portion of the inlet and outlet ports, a third section adjacent the housing top portion, and a second section between the first and third sections, the second section having at least one aperture or cavity for fluid flow, the first and third sections having a first diameter, and the second section having a second diameter that is not equal to the first diameter.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein the inlet port and outlet port second section are formed in an hourglass shape.

25. The combination of claim 23, wherein the inlet port second section cavity and the outlet port second section cavity are exposed in a direction opposite the filter housing top portion mating connection surface.

26. The combination of claim 13, wherein the connector housing extension is at least partially disposed within a laterally extending slotted portion of the base platform.

27. The combination of claim 26, wherein the connector housing extensions are connected by a middle portion having a slot for receiving a resilient tongue therein, the resilient tongue extending perpendicularly from a spring housing, the spring housing including at least one resilient member in contact with a locking member of the filter base to provide a retractive force when the locking member is acted upon by the filter housing assembly during insertion or extraction of the filter housing assembly from the filter base.

28. The combination of claim 27, wherein the spring housing resilient tongue is received in the connector housing central slot by a snap fit to connect the spring housing to the connector housing.

29. A method for attaching a filter housing assembly to a filter base, the filter base comprising

A base platform having fluid inlet and outlet legs, the legs being located on opposite sides of a shaped housing disposed therebetween, the shaped housing having longitudinal and transverse sides, and a harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the harness assembly comprising a first connector, a second connector, conductors extending between the first connector and the second connector, and one or more contacts disposed on the second connector and which flex from a first position to a second position when curved contact portions of the one or more contacts engage complementary mating connection surfaces of a mating filter housing assembly, and further comprising a connector housing comprising a substantially planar extension integral with or connected to a transverse extension of the base platform and separated by a clearance recess for receiving at least a portion of the shaped housing therebetween, the transverse extension having a longitudinal extension facing outwardly from the housing and having one or more of its opposite ends, the contact being dimensioned to face outwardly from the housing and having one or more of its opposite ends:

Inserting the inlet and outlet ports of the filter housing assembly into the inlet and outlet struts 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;

upon insertion, engaging the mating connection surface of the filter housing with the one or more contact bending contact portions to establish an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly such that the one or more contacts of the wire harness assembly bend from a first position to a second position and remain engaged with the mating connection surface during the bending; and

releasing the filter housing assembly such that the resilient extraction force acts on the filter key in an axial extraction direction to engage the filter key with the locking member, thereby inhibiting extraction of the filter housing assembly.

30. A refrigerator comprising a filter base configured to receive a complementary mating filter housing assembly, wherein the filter base comprises:

a base platform having fluid inlet and outlet struts oriented for receiving axially extending fluid inlet and outlet ports of the complementary mating filter housing assembly, the fluid inlet and outlet struts being located on opposite sides of a shaped housing disposed therebetween, the shaped housing having longitudinal and transverse sides; and

A wiring harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the complementary mating filter housing assembly, the wiring harness assembly comprising:

a first connector;

a second connector;

a conductor extending between the first connector and the second connector;

one or more contacts disposed on the second connector, the one or more contacts being bent 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 including a substantially planar extension integral with or connected to a laterally extending portion of the base platform and separated by a gapped recess for receiving at least a portion of the shaped housing therebetween, the laterally extending portion extending outwardly from a longitudinal side of the shaped housing, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and being sized to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts; and

wherein the complementary mating filter housing assembly includes a housing having a substantially cylindrical body and a top portion for forming a fluid seal with the body, the housing top portion having an axial center and further comprising:

An inlet port and an outlet port extending from the housing top portion, each of the inlet port and the outlet port having a body with a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section adjacent the housing top section and in fluid communication with the cylindrical body, the inlet port and the outlet port top section having at least one seal at a connection with the middle section, and the inlet port and the outlet port bottom section having at least one seal at a connection with the middle section, each of the seals having an outer surface first diameter, and the inlet port and the outlet port middle section having an outer surface with a diameter extension less than the inlet port and outlet port respective seal first diameter, such that the inlet port middle section and the outlet port middle section 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 extending finger comprising a contact portion on one side forming a first angle with respect to the housing top portion in a first direction and an adjacent side forming a second angle with respect to the housing top portion in the first direction such that the first angle and the second angle are unequal; and

Optionally, an electronic circuit component housing is disposed adjacent the filter key and has a recess for receiving an electronic circuit component therein and for further connecting the electronic circuit component to the housing top portion, the electronic circuit component housing being located in or connected to the cartridge assembly housing.