DE102020130283B3 - Water treatment device with connection assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a water treatment device, in particular a filter, with a connection assembly, comprising a water treatment device with a container with a housing that is preferably at least partially cylindrical. The housing has a laterally emanating input and a laterally emanating output. The input and output are each designed as a piece of pipe. The input and output can be locked using a slide on the connection assembly.

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a water treatment device with a connection assembly. The water treatment device is designed in particular as a water filter.

Background of the Invention

Water treatment devices, in particular those that are installed in a pressurized water pipe provided by the customer, are known.

For example, the applicant sells a system under the brand name "Bestmax" in which a filter candle is screwed into a filter head which is connected to a line on site.

Such systems are used in particular in the home and in the catering trade for the treatment of drinking water. In particular, the water used for this purpose can be used in machines for preparing hot beverages. For this purpose, the corresponding filter candles can in particular be filled with an ion exchange material in order to soften the water.

Such filter cartridges are easy to use. Such a system is already provided with an automatically closing valve and a non-return valve, so that the user only has to replace the filter cartridge without it being necessary to shut off an inlet of the water line.

Nevertheless, screwing in requires a certain amount of effort and cannot be done with a single movement. Conventional filter cartridges are also provided with a housing that is relatively expensive to manufacture and, since both connections are on one side, include a downpipe which extends through the filter cartridge.

The document U.S. 2019/0291029 A1 shows a filter cartridge having a fitting that is locked with a slider.

object of the invention

In contrast to the prior art mentioned at the outset, the invention is based on the object of making it even easier to replace a water treatment device and/or to provide a water treatment device whose housing can be manufactured more simply and inexpensively.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the invention is already achieved by a water treatment device with a connection assembly and by a water treatment device according to claim 1 .

Preferred embodiments and developments of the invention can be found in the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a water treatment device with a connection assembly.

The connection assembly is designed so that the water treatment device can be inserted into the connection assembly.

The connection assembly preferably includes an input and an output for connection to a water line on site and connections for the water treatment device.

The water treatment device can be a filter for treating water, in particular drinking water.

This can include, for example, filter layers for collecting particles, substances that absorb heavy metals, such as activated carbon, or biocidal substances. In particular, the filter can contain an ion exchange material, via which the water is softened.

In addition to such filters, which become clogged or used up over time, the connection technology according to the invention can also be used for water treatment devices which, for example, kill germs using UV light or which require the dosing of disinfecting substances, such as substances with an oxidative effect, such as chlorine or ozone, serve.

Such assemblies usually also have to be replaced at regular intervals, which is also easily possible using the connection technology according to the invention.

Furthermore, the connection technology according to the invention enables simple retrofitting of existing systems with an additional component for water treatment.

The water treatment device includes a container.

The container is preferably designed at least in sections as a cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical, housing.

In particular, sections of the container can be designed as a piece of pipe.

The housing of the container comprises a laterally emanating inlet and a laterally emanating outlet, where the inlet and outlet are each formed as a piece of pipe.

The inlet and outlet are aligned parallel to one another, and the piece of pipe can have any shape.

According to the invention, the input and output can be locked via a slide.

It is provided according to the invention that both the input and the output can be locked via a single slide.

The slider is part of the connector assembly.

The water treatment device is locked by the slide in such a way that it can no longer be removed. In particular, the slide causes a positive locking of the water treatment device.

The slide can preferably be moved into the unlocked state against spring tension.

In particular, it can be prevented that the slide does not inadvertently remain in the open position, so that the water treatment device used can be pushed out by the applied water pressure.

In a development of the invention, the slide latches in an open, ie unlocked, state.

This locking is preferably released by inserting the water treatment device.

This ensures that the slide only moves, preferably automatically, into the locked state due to the spring preload when the water treatment device is used.

One-handed operation can be provided in particular in connection with a valve which automatically closes the inlet on the inlet side when the water treatment device is removed.

To remove the water treatment device, the user must unlock the locking mechanism using the actuating element. After the actuating member has been actuated, the slide remains in the open, ie unlocked, but latched state.

The user can now remove the water treatment device with one hand and replace it with a new one.

By inserting the new water treatment device, the latching is released, preferably automatically, for example by a component of the water treatment device releasing a latching on the connection assembly.

The valve is opened automatically and the water treatment device is inserted into the connection assembly in a locked state.

The slide can have two spaced openings, each having at least the diameter of the pipe section, which merge into a smaller section.

In particular, a section of the slide that is preferably in the shape of a segment of a circle can each engage in a groove of the pipe piece.

The openings of the slide can in particular consist of a round hole which has such a large diameter that the pipe sections can be pushed through and which is overlapped by a smaller round hole which, in the locked state, provides a section in the shape of a segment of a circle which engages in the groove of the pipe section.

A connection, in particular the connection for the inlet, preferably comprises a valve which is opened by inserting the pipe section.

In particular, it is provided that the piece of pipe is initially already sealingly connected to the connection assembly when it is inserted, and then pushes back a valve body against a spring force, which opens the valve.

According to a development of the invention, the connection assembly can accommodate an additional filter and/or additional components for water treatment, such as a UV lamp, an ozone generator, etc.

The water treatment device can preferably only be inserted into the connection assembly in a single orientation.

This prevents confusion between input and output.

The invention also relates to a connection assembly which is designed for the water treatment device described above.

In particular, this can include all of the features described in connection with the trunk group.

The water treatment device comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and outlet being designed as parallel pipe sections.

The water treatment device is designed in particular as a water filter and can in particular include all of the features described above in connection with the water treatment device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing of the water treatment device is divided into an inner housing and an outer housing, with the pipe sections of the inlet and outlet each extending from the outer housing.

In particular, the outer housing is formed in one piece with the pipe sections.

For example, the outer housing can be designed as a plastic injection molded part.

There is also a seal between the inner housing and the outer housing, which sits between the pipe sections.

The gap between the inner and outer housing is divided into two flow channels by the seal between the pipe sections.

The water flows via the inlet via the gap to an inlet at the end of the inner housing, then passes through the filter section, exits the inner housing and reaches the outlet via the other gap.

In this way, a simply designed housing is made possible, which can be composed at least in sections of tube sections which are inserted into one another, the gap being located between an inner housing designed as a tube section and an outer housing designed as a tube section.

The inner housing and the outer housing can, in particular, be of at least partially cylindrical design, in particular circular-cylindrical.

The inner housing is preferably filled with a water treatment medium.

The inner housing is filled, for example, with an ion exchange material, granules for mineralizing the water and/or with a biocidal material.

In one embodiment of the invention, the outlet of the inner housing is arranged on the side, namely on a side of the inner housing opposite the inlet.

The inner housing and the outer housing can thus in particular be plugged into one another in the manner of a pot, with a cover of the inner housing closing the outer housing.

The inner housing has an entrance either on the bottom of the pot or at the bottom on the side of the pot and on the opposite side, in particular on the side, an exit.

A filter cartridge of this type, in particular for filters with a volume of less than 1 L, can be provided with a housing that can be produced inexpensively, which at the same time can be very easily inserted into a connection assembly and removed again.

character list

• 1 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anschlussbaugruppe mit einer Wasserbehandlungseinrichtung 200.
• 2 ist eine Querschnittsansicht der Anschlussbaugruppe mit der Wasseraufbereitungseinrichtung.
• 3 ist eine Schnittansicht im Bereich eines Ventils.
• 4 ist eine Querschnittsansicht der Anschlussbaugruppe, in welcher das in 3 dargestellte Ventil sowie der Schieber zum Verriegeln des Filters dargestellt sind.
• 5 ist eine Detaildarstellung des Bereichs der Verriegelung.
• 6 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht der Wasseraufbereitungseinrichtung.
• 7 und 8 sind Schnittansichten der Wasseraufbereitungseinrichtung.
• 9 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht des Innengehäuses der Wasseraufbereitungseinrichtung.
• 10 zeigt das Innengehäuse der Wasseraufbereitungseinrichtung in einem Schnitt.

The subject matter of the invention is intended below with reference to an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings 1 until 10 be explained in more detail.

• 1 is a perspective view of a connection assembly with a water treatment device 200.
• 2 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly with the water treatment device.
• 3 is a sectional view in the area of a valve.
• 4 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal assembly, in which the in 3 shown valve and the slider for locking the filter are shown.
• 5 Figure 12 is a detail view of the locking area.
• 6 Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the water treatment device.
• 7 and 8th are sectional views of the water treatment device.
• 9 Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the inner case of the water treatment device.
• 10 shows the inner housing of the water treatment device in a section.

Detailed description of the drawings

1 is a perspective view of a connection assembly 300 with the inlet 301 and the outlet 302 for connection to the on-site water line, wherein a water treatment device 200 is inserted into a connection assembly.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connection assembly includes a water treatment device 200 in the form of a water filter.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connection assembly 300 has an inlet 301 and an outlet 302 on its upper side for in-line connection to a pressurized water line on site.

If “above” or “below” is mentioned, these terms are only used for illustrative purposes; the connection assembly 300 can be installed in any position.

In addition to the water treatment device, the connection assembly shown here also includes other components for water treatment, which, however, are not important in the invention shown here.

The water flowing in via the inlet 301 first passes through the water treatment device 200 and then optionally through another component for water treatment, e.g. a second water filter, in order to be discharged again at the outlet 302.

The water treatment device 200 can be designed in particular as a water filter.

It goes without saying that this is only an exemplary use for which the locking technology described is optimally suited, but does not necessarily have to be used.

In order to remove the water treatment device 200 from the connection assembly 300, the connection assembly 300 in this exemplary embodiment comprises an actuating element 310 on the side, which can be designed as a button.

By pressing the actuating element 310, the water treatment device 200 is unlocked in relation to the connection assembly 300 and can be removed by the user.

The water treatment device 200 can be removed without an on-site water line having to be closed.

Automatically closing valves in the inlet prevent water from escaping during removal.

Furthermore, a non-return valve prevents the water standing in the water pipe after the outlet 302 from flowing out.

The locking mechanism for the water treatment device 200 includes the actuating member 310 which includes a slide 311 .

The slide 311 is guided in a slide housing 303 so that it can move axially in its longitudinal direction L ^x .

An input and an output in the connection assembly are accessible through the slide housing 303 .

The inlet and outlet are spaced apart behind the slider housing 303 and are designed so that a piece of pipe for the inlet and outlet, which are part of the water filter 200, can be pushed in (see 5 ).

When the filter 200 is inserted, the slide 311 snaps into the locked position shown here and secures the filter 200 in the connection assembly 300.

The water treatment device 200 only needs to be pushed into the connection assembly 300 for insertion.

A projection 206 on the side wall of the water treatment device 200 presses on a latching tongue 314 of the slider 311, so that the slider 311 is moved together with the actuating member 310 by a spring 315 into the locked position shown here.

In addition to being easy to insert, this has the advantage that the water treatment device 200 can only be inserted in a single defined position. Wrong connection by confusing input and output is therefore impossible.

A valve 360 present between the inlet 301 of the connection assembly 300 and the inlet of the water treatment device 200 closes automatically when the water treatment device 200 is removed.

In one exemplary embodiment, the connection assembly includes a water meter, which can be located upstream of the outlet 302 (not shown).

The signal from the water meter 320 can be processed via electronics (not shown) and a necessary replacement of the water treatment device 200 can be indicated on the basis of the counted, filtered quantity of water.

This is preferably done wirelessly, for example via a WLAN (Wireless Area Network).

A necessary exchange can be indicated in particular by a program (app) on a wireless mobile device.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly 300 with the water treatment device 200 through a cross-sectional plane at the level of the connections 201, 201 of the water treatment device 200.

A self-closing valve 360, which closes automatically when the water treatment device 200 is removed, is located between the input 301 of the connection assembly 300 and the input 201 of the water treatment device 200.

Due to the fact that the inlet 201 and the outlet 202 are pushed in axially as a result of the insertion of the water treatment device 200 , the valve 360 is in the open state shown here, so that water can flow through the water treatment device 200 .

3 Figure 3 is a sectional view of the portion of the valve 360 along its longitudinal axis that is automatically closed when the water treatment device 200 is removed.

The valve 360 includes the valve body 361.

When inserting the tubular inlet 201 of the water treatment device 200, which is already sealed immediately after insertion by a radial seal inserted into the groove 203, the valve body 361 is moved against the spring 362 into the open position shown here. The valve body 361 is lifted from its seat and a channel is opened. The flow direction of the water is marked with arrows.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 300, in which the in 3 shown valve 360 and the slider 311 for locking the filter 200 are shown.

The slide 311 includes two openings which release the connections 312 and 313 for the input and output of the water treatment device 200 in the unlocked state. is shown in 4 the locked state.

By moving the actuating element 310 with the slide 311 against the bias of the spring 315, the openings for the connections 312, 313 are released and the latching tongue 314 on the opposite end of the actuating element 310 on the slide 311 in this exemplary embodiment snaps forward in front of the slide housing 303.

The filter 200 can now be pulled out of the connection assembly.

After the water treatment device 200 has been removed, the slide 311 can no longer return against the spring preload due to the latching tongue 314, but remains in the open position.

The slide 311 is thus moved to a position in which the ring segments 316 of the slide no longer fit into a corresponding groove (203 in 6 ) of the water treatment device 200 access.

When a new water treatment device 200 is inserted, a projection 206 presses on the housing of the water treatment device (cf. 6 ) on the locking tongue 314 of the slide 311 and releases the slide 311 from its locked position.

This allows the slider 311, due to the spring 315, to return to the locked position shown in the figures.

The locked position is also in 5 , a detailed view of the locking area.

The water treatment device 200 can thus be inserted with one hand and is automatically locked when inserted.

6 shows a perspective view of the water treatment device 200, whose connection technology can also be used for other types of water treatment device.

The water treatment device 200 includes the outer housing 205 with the inlet 201 and the outlet 202, which are designed as spaced-apart pieces of pipe which are spaced apart from one another on the side wall axially along the main direction of extension L _F of the outer housing 205.

The inlet 201 and outlet 202 can be conical on their end face in order to facilitate the insertion of the connections.

The end face of inlet 201 and outlet 202 seen in the direction of outer housing 205 is initially followed by a first groove 203, which serves to provide a radial seal, for example by means of an inserted O-ring (not shown).

A second groove 204 is provided further behind in the direction of the housing, into which the webs of the slide, which are in the form of ring segments, engage in the locked state.

By the projection 206 when inserting the water treatment device 200 on the in 5 shown locking tongue 314 presses, the slide 311 is released from its locked position.

Projection 206, exit 202 and entrance 201 are on an axially extending row parallel to axis L ^x (cf. 1 ) along the side wall of the tubular housing 205 on the filter.

The connections, ie the input and output 201, 202 and the projection 206, are therefore arranged one after the other in a row on the same side of the housing in this exemplary embodiment.

This increases the security against manipulation.

7 is a perspective view of a longitudinal section of the water treatment device 200 through the plane of the connections 201, 202.

The water treatment device 200 comprises an inner housing 207 and an outer housing 205.

Inner housing 207 and outer housing 205 are designed at least in sections as a tube, in particular with a circular-cylindrical cross-section.

This allows a particularly inexpensive provision of the housing.

Input 201 and output 202 each lead into a gap 211 or 212 between inner housing 207 and outer housing 205.

Between the connections, ie between the inlet 201 and the outlet 202, this gap is interrupted by a seal (not shown).

In particular, there can be a groove 210 between two webs, into which a radial seal, for example an O-ring, is inserted.

As per the sectional view 8th shown with arrows, the water flows via the entrance 201 into the gap 211, exits on one side (In 8th : below) into the inner housing 207, the filter medium (not shown here) passes and enters the outlet-side gap 212 via a passage 209 of the inner housing 207 and leaves the water treatment device 200 via the outlet 202.

As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the inner housing can have a perforated bottom 208 which, e.g. B. retains a granulate.

On the opposite side of the sieve bottom 208, the inner housing includes lateral outlets 209 at the end, which are dimensioned such that z. B. a filter granulate does not enter the gap 212. The gap 211, 212 preferably has a width of less than 5 mm.

In a further embodiment (not shown here), the outlet 209 can also be designed as a perforated bottom.

The terminals 201, 202 are close to each other, which facilitates the design of the slider.

Furthermore, the connections 201, 202, as in 8th shown, not be arranged in the middle relative to the length 1 of the housing 205 on this, but can be arranged offset in the direction of an end face.

Due to the design of the water treatment device 200 with the flow guidance via the gaps 211, 212, filters with different internal volumes can be provided in a simple manner with identical connections. the The arrangement of the connections 201, 202 is almost independent of the shape and size of the housing 205.

9 Figure 12 is a perspective view of the inner housing 207 with the roughly centered groove 210 for the seal (not shown) to divide the gap.

10 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inner case 207. FIG.

In this embodiment, the inner housing 207 and the cover 213, which closes the filter, are formed in one piece.

In this exemplary embodiment, the inner and outer housings are each essentially pot-shaped.

The inner housing 207 includes a thread 214 for connecting the inner and outer housing.

However, other types of connection, such as welding or gluing, are also possible.

In particular, the inner and outer housing can each be designed as a pure piece of pipe and be closed on both sides with a cover, the cover ensuring the distance between the inner and outer housing via annular grooves (not shown).

The design with a central sealing ring between the inner and outer housing is particularly simple.

The connection technology described is used in particular for water treatment devices in households and industry.

The technology described in relation to the water treatment device 200 is also intended for water treatment devices having a housing with an internal volume between 50 ml and 2 l. The invention made it possible to provide a water treatment device which is suitable for various uses and can be easily replaced.

Reference List

200

water treatment facility

201

input/connection

202

output/connection

203

groove

204

groove

205

housing/outer housing

206

head Start

207

inner case

208

sieve bottom

209

passage

210

groove

211

gap

212

gap

213

lid

214

thread

300

connection assembly

301

entry

302

exit

303

valve body

310

actuator

311

slider

312

connection

313

connection

314

locking tongue

315

feather

316

ring segment

360

Valve

361

valve body

362

feather

Claims (14)

Water treatment device, in particular a filter, with a connection assembly, wherein the water treatment device comprises a container with a housing that is preferably at least partially cylindrical, the housing having a laterally extending inlet and a laterally extending outlet, with the inlet and outlet each being designed as a piece of pipe, and with the inlet and output can be locked via a slide of the connection assembly, characterized in that the input and output can be locked via a single slide. Water treatment device with connection assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the slide can be moved against a spring bias. Water treatment device with connection assembly according to the above Claim, characterized in that the slide latches in an open state. Water treatment device with connection assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the latching is released by inserting the water treatment device. Water treatment device with a connection assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide has two spaced-apart openings which each have at least the diameter of the piece of pipe, which merge into a section with a smaller diameter, in particular that a preferably circular segment-shaped section of the slide each has a groove of the piece of pipe grips. Water treatment device with connection assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection group has a connection with a valve, preferably with a valve that is opened via the piece of pipe of the water treatment device. Water treatment device with connection assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a non-return valve is arranged on the flow side behind the outlet of the water filter. Water treatment device with connection assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water treatment device can be inserted into the connection assembly in a single orientation. Water treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet and outlet are designed as parallel pipe sections. Water treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is divided into an inner housing and an outer housing, the pipe sections extending from the outer housing, and there being a seal between the inner housing and the outer housing which sits between the pipe sections. Water treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner housing and outer housing are at least partially cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical, and/or that the inner housing and/or outer housing are at least partially formed as a tube. Water treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing, in particular the inner housing, is filled with a water treatment medium. Water treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe sections are constructed in one piece with the outer housing and/or that the inner housing has a lateral outlet on the outlet side. Connection assembly designed for a water treatment device according to one of the preceding claims.

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