RU2342325C2 - Device for water treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: technological processes; water treatment.

SUBSTANCE: invention may be used for treatment of water used for tea or coffee making. Device contains cup 4, cartridge 5 of filter that is inserted into cup 4 and contains purifying material, and reservoir 1 for installation of cup 4, in which purified water that has been poured into cup 4 and has passed filter cartridge 5 arrives. Reservoir 1 is equipped with handle 2 and has drain nozzle 3. Cup 4 is closed with cover 6 with yoke 8 and is equipped with bail 7 for convenience of use. Device is also equipped with electronic indicator that is connected to electric battery and forms signal visible on the outside for replacement of purifying material for the new one. Indicator is equipped with programmable electronic unit with memory function, in which electric element is installed that depends on position of reservoir 1. Electronic unit during every process of purified water drain from reservoir 1 produces parameter that is proportional to quantity of water drained. Indicator is equipped with visual indication panel that is visible on the outside, on which from the moment of reservoir 1 usage with new filter cartridge 5 installed in it and filled with purifying material, summed amounts of purified water drained from reservoir 1 are displayed in the form of numerical values. Indicator is also additionally equipped with panel of counting indication that indicates number of days that are left to installation of new purifying material with reverse count in the form of numerical value.

EFFECT: user notification about the date of new purifying material installation.

8 dwg, 2 cl

Description

The invention relates to a device for water purification, containing a cup, a filter cartridge inserted into a cup containing cleaning material, and a container accommodating cup, into which, when a cup is inserted with a filter cartridge installed therein, purified water that flows into the cup and passes through the filter cartridge, which equipped with an electronic indicator connected to the electric battery, which forms a signal visible from the outside to replace the cleaning material with a new, unloaded cleaning material, in which the indicator It is loaded with a programmable electric unit with a memory function connected to the battery, and in which an electric element depending on the position of the capacitance is also installed in the electric circuit containing the battery, which does not function when the capacitance is installed along the vertical axis and when the capacitance is inclined with a specified minimum tilt axis generating an electrical parameter recorded by the electronic unit (DE 10143884 A1).

A device of this type is used, for example, to purify water used for making tea or coffee. When using the device, purified water, after opening the lid provided if necessary, is poured into a cup. Then it passes through the cleaning material located in the filter cartridge and enters the container in the form of purified water. The cleaning material contained in the filter cartridge, which may be, for example, an ion exchange material, is effective for a limited time only. Then it is advisable to replace it with a new one. This can be done by the device user at his own discretion. The decisive factor for this is the number of days during which the cleaning material of the filter cartridge has been in operation. The number of days during which the cleaning material is effective is in many cases indicated by the manufacturer of the filter cartridge and, accordingly, the cleaning material contained therein. Thus, the user can note for himself when he should or wants to replace the cleaning material. This is simplified for him by means of a device for setting the date or, accordingly, days, according to the device according to DE 9306849 U1. This device is equipped with a side with markings on which a rearranged slider is placed.

DE 19819098 A1 discloses a device in which a lid placed on a cup is provided with an electronic, purposefully activated indicator device, which, from the moment of its activation after a predetermined period of time, for example, one month, produces a signal visible from the outside. For this, for example, the liquid crystal display changes gradually in its outward appearance. The indicator device should automatically work and also show the expiration of a predetermined period of time after its activation. However, it also works when the device, after activating the indicator device, was used only once or twice. The cleaning material in this case after one month has not yet been used up, however, in accordance with the prescribed rules for using the device, it is replaced by a new cleaning material.

The stationary device according to US-A-6024867 is equipped with a connecting element for connection to a water tap. When the water tap is open, pressurized water is forced up through the cleaning material bounded by two semi-permeable membranes. The purified water then flows from the tube located at the top of the device. Its amount is recorded by the electronic unit, which is attached to the movable ball. The status of the cleaning material placed in the cleaning cartridge is shown by three LEDs, which are sequentially illuminated in different colors. A green diode indicates that the cartridge is fully ready for use. After that, the yellow diode indicates that the cartridge should be replaced soon, and the red diode indicates that the time for using the cleaning material has been exceeded.

The device for water purification using a cleaning material located in the cartridge according to US-A-6074550 has an indicator with a reed contact and a magnet, the distance between which can be adjusted. Here, the maximum period of time until the cleaning material is completely consumed is set. This time interval of 100% is divided, for example, into five segments of 20% each, which are displayed on the visual display panel and change their appearance depending on the time.

The known device according to the aforementioned document DE 10143884 A1 shows with great accuracy only the period of time as a whole during which the cleaning material is actually used or has been used. A programmable unit, which can be used as a microprocessor or microcontroller, only in that case registers the used measured value when the tank for draining purified water is brought into the corresponding inclined position. In this case, the recorded and, if necessary, summable period of time depends in each case on the amount of purified water drained from the tank when inclined, which generally corresponds to the amount of water passing through the cleaning material. For example, after a maximally specified summed total time interval, a well-recognized signal can then be triggered as a sum parameter, as a result of which the user comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to replace the cleaning material with a new one. In order to be able to do this if necessary, the user must have the appropriate cleaning material in stock, or at least should be able to acquire it relatively quickly.

The basis of the invention is the task of modifying the device described above in such a way that the user can timely determine the date by which he needs a new cleaning material.

This task, according to the invention, is solved by the fact that

- the electronic unit during each process of draining the purified water from the tank produces a parameter proportional to the amount of water drained at the same time, and

- the indicator is equipped with a visual indication panel visible from the outside, on which, from the moment the container is used with a new filter cartridge installed in it filled with cleaning material, the summed amounts of purified water drained from the container are displayed as numerical values.

This device operates mainly regardless of the time elapsed since the placement of a new and, accordingly, fresh cleaning material in the tank. With this device, on the contrary, the amount of actually purified water is recorded and fed to the indicator, that is, the amount of water that has passed through the cleaning material and is loaded with contaminants. The maximum amount of water that can be purified by the cleaning material contained in the filter cartridge is known. This maximum value must be clearly visible or placed on or near the visual display panel. Not later than the numerical value corresponding to the summed amounts of purified and drained from the water tank will reach the specified maximum value, the user will have to replace the used cleaning material with a new one. The cleaning material can thereby be updated with great accuracy when it really can no longer be used. When using this device, it is largely ruled out that a suitable cleaning material will be disposed of.

In order for the user of the device to be able to purchase it in time without its own supply or unpolluted cleaning material stored in the warehouse, the indicator can additionally be equipped with a counting display panel with a countdown, which allows you to directly read the number of days during which the cleaning material used remains effective. In this case, the device user has a new cleaning material at the right time, if he is guided by the numerical data indicated, on the one hand, on the visual display panel, and, on the other hand, on the counting display panel, and acquires a new cleaning material in a timely manner, for example, in the form of a filled filter cartridge.

In fact, the amount of water that has been purified and drained from the tank is very accurately recorded by the electronic unit, which acts only when the water is drained. This takes into account the fact that the amount of capacity filled with purified water is poured over a period of time defined within narrow boundaries, for example, five seconds. This time, corresponding to the amount of water set in the form of a maximum value, corresponding characteristic is entered into the memory of an electronic unit containing, for example, a microprocessor. A shorter drain time corresponds to less water. It is recorded by the relevant characteristics. The counting panel shows numerical data, preferably only at the end of the time the appropriate cleaning material is used. It begins, for example, by showing the number “6” when there is still another six days left before the end of the time for using the cleaning material in use.

Examples of the execution of the subject invention are presented in the drawings.

Depict:

Figure 1 - the device according to the invention, in the working position;

Figure 2 and 3 are two different indicators placed on the device;

Figure 4 - characteristic;

5 is a schematic illustration of the indicator used in the device;

6 is an electric circuit with a battery and a switch as an electrical element;

7 is a switch used in the device in a detailed image;

Fig. 8 is an axial diagram.

The device according to figure 1 consists of a tank 1 for receiving purified water, which is equipped with a handle 2 for ease of use. The container 1, in a preferred embodiment made of a transparent material, for example glass, may have a drain nozzle 3 to facilitate the discharge of water. In the container 1 according to FIG. 1, a cup 4 is inserted, at the bottom of which a replaceable filter cartridge 5 is placed containing cleaning material, for example, in the form of granulate. The filter cartridge 5 is thus made and placed in the cup 4, so that the water poured into it must pass through the cartridge and enter the container 1 as purified water. The cup 4 in the presented embodiment is closed by a lid 6. In addition, it is equipped with a bow 7 for convenience use. The cover 6 by means of the clamp 8 can be installed with the possibility of folding on the cup 4 or, respectively, on its bow 7.

According to FIG. 2, the device is equipped with a visual display panel S, designated as an “indicator”, through which, with the help of digital signs, information can be obtained on when the cleaning material contained in the filter cartridge 5 will be generated and needs to be replaced. Such visual display panels are state of the art. They act, for example, as the so-called LCD indicators. Therefore, more detailed explanations to the visual display panel S are not required here. The visual display panel S is watertight on the device, namely in such a way that it is clearly visible from the outside. Moreover, it can be installed on the container 1, or on its handle 2, or on the cup 4, or on the lid 6 of the cup 4, or on its handle 7. The greatest accuracy of the display occurs when the visual display panel S is set to capacity 1 or on its handle 2. According to figure 3, the indicator can be additionally equipped with a panel Z counting indication.

The indicator according to figure 5 is equipped with a programmable electronic unit 9 with a memory function. The block may be, for example, a microprocessor or microcontroller. Below it is clearly referred to as "microprocessor 9". The indicator also includes an electric battery 10. Both of these nodes are preferably located on the same circuit board 11 with a printed circuit and, thus, are interconnected by a conductive path. The printed circuit board 11 is connected, in addition, indicated by the block in figure 5, the electrical element 12. With the battery 10 and the microprocessor 9, it is in the same electrical circuit. The microprocessor 9 may be equipped with a delay circuit 13, which is indicated in Fig.6 as a separate unit.

The electric element 12 can be, according to FIG. 6, an electric switch 14, the position of which depends on the position of the container 1. It is open when the container 1 is installed along the vertical axis A1, that is, for example, stands on a table. The switch 14 closes when the container 1 is tilted, namely, from the moment of the specified minimum inclination of the axis A1 of the container 1. This minimum inclination preferably corresponds to the angle at which the purified water starts to flow out of the well-filled container 1 through its drain nozzle 3. Good the filled container 1 is filled with purified water, preferably to a height of "H", that is, approximately to the lower edge of the filter cartridge 5. This height may be indicated by a distinguishable mark on the outside. It corresponds, for example, to the amount of purified water equal to two liters. However, the switch 14 is also closed in the case when the purified water is poured out of the container 1 filled with purified water only or only partially. It remains closed as long as the container 1 is tilted in a position at least corresponding to the minimum tilt.

The position of the switch 14 depends, as already mentioned above, on the position of the capacitance 1. For its operation, it can have, according to Fig. 7, for example, an adjustable contact element 15. In the illustrated embodiment, this element is installed with forced control in a system connected to the board 11 and has the ability to move between two end positions. In one end position, the switch 14 is open, and in the other end position is closed. The contact element 15 is preferably made in the form of a metal ball, at least the surface of which has good electrical conductivity. To achieve the maximum possible weight, it can be made, for example, of iron or steel and gilded over the entire surface. The contact element 15, hereinafter briefly referred to as "ball 15", is installed, for example, in a tank 16 having a tubular shape. On the front side of the tank 16 is closed by the bottom. On the site of the other, also closed, end side there are electrical contacts 17 of the above-described electrical circuit (Fig.6), which can be closed or opened by means of the ball 15.

In non-operational mode, the container 1 is preferably mounted on the vertical axis A1. The visual indication panel S is placed on the device in such a way that the axis A2 of the tank 16, in its position stationary relative to the tank 1, according to Fig. 8, forms an acute angle α with the axis A1 of the tank 1. In this case, the ball 15 lies on the bottom of the tank 16. Thus, the switch 14 in this position of the tank 1 is open.

When the container 1 is tilted to drain the purified water, the axes A1 and A2 are moved, for example, to the position shown in FIG. 8 with a dash-dot line. In this position, corresponding to the minimum inclination of the inclined container 1, the ball 15 in the tank 16 slides, or, accordingly, falls in the direction of the end side opposite the bottom. In the corresponding end position, it then contacts the contacts 17, which, thereby, are connected to each other in a conductive manner. The circuit therefore closes. The delay circuit 13 of the microprocessor 9 registers a period of time during which the switch 14 is in the closed state.

The microprocessor 9 is “calibrated” by the device manufacturer in relation to the recorded amounts of water. To do this, use the time recorded by the microprocessor 9 or, accordingly, its delay circuit 13, to drain the maximum amount of water corresponding to the level of height H from the tank 1. Into the microprocessor 9, as a result of measuring this period of time, for example, for five seconds, a characteristic is introduced, by means of which less, as well as a larger amount of purified water is recorded and, accordingly, determined in the form of the maximum amount obtained. Such a characteristic, made, for example, in the form of a linear characteristic, is reflected in figure 4. Thus, the amount of water with a height equal to only half the maximum level H is poured out of the tank 1 in 2.5 seconds, if, as already mentioned, the maximum amount of water is poured out in five seconds.

The device according to the proposed invention works, for example, as follows:

When a new, non-loaded cleaning material is introduced into the filter cartridge 5 or a pre-filled filter cartridge 5 is inserted into the cup 4, the indicator and thereby its microprocessor 9 is activated during subsequent use of the container 1, for example, by pressing a button not shown. Such a button can be placed, for example, clearly visible next to the visual display panel S. The switch 14 remains initially open. When a sufficient amount of purified water is poured into the container 1, poured into the cup 4 and passed through the filter cartridge cleaning material 5, it can be drained by tilting the container 1. As soon as the axis A1 of the container 1 occupies the position indicated in FIG. 8 with a dash-dot line corresponding to the minimum tilt, the ball 15 in the reservoir 16 falls on the contacts 17. Thus, the electrical circuit shown in Fig.6 closes. The delay circuit 13 registers the above commented period of time for which the purified water is poured out of the container 1. Moreover, the container 1 should not be completely emptied each time, since a time interval is also recorded each time when partial amounts of water are drained.

As soon as the switch 14 closes, the delay circuit 13 of the previously activated microprocessor 9 starts to work. It each time registers the period of time during which the purified water is poured out of the tank 1, displays it on the visual display panel S and stores it. This period of time corresponds, according to the characteristics of the microprocessor 9, a certain amount of purified water in liters. At the end of each discharge process, the corresponding number of liters is induced in numbers on the visual display panel. In accordance with this, in the presented embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, 10.2 liters of purified water are poured from the corresponding container 1. Thus, the delay circuit 13 registers and stores each period of time during which the switch 14 is in the closed state. Each individual time period corresponds to one process of draining the purified water from the tank 1. The individual time intervals are summed by the microprocessor 9. On the visual display panel S, the total amount of the purified water drained from the tank 1 is then shown as a numerical value. This numerical value is always indicated only briefly. The visual display panel S can then be turned off again so that the battery 10 is not under load. With each discharge process, it is activated again.

Simultaneously with the microprocessor 9, the metering panel Z can also be activated, which works regardless of the amount of purified water. By means of the Z panel, the counting indication and its numerical data count down the number of days during which the cleaning material can be effectively used. These additional data are appropriate in order, for example, to exclude bacterial contamination of the cleaning material, if it is used, for example, more than six weeks. Panel Z of the counting display starts counting in this case from the number 42 and every day makes a move back one integer. However, these numbers are not required to be indicated continuously. Preferably, it is sufficient if the metering panel Z only six days before the expiration of the use of the cleaning material begins to count down by indicating the number “6”, as shown in FIG. 3.

The device user thereby obtains the opportunity to replace the cleaning material with a new one either in accordance with the actual amount of purified water, or in accordance with the period of use of the cleaning material. In both cases, the indicator can be additionally equipped with an optical signaling device, for example, an incandescent lamp flashing red, or an LED that gives its signal when a specified amount of water is reached or when a specified number of days has passed.

The maximum amount of water that must be cleaned with cleaning material can be indicated on the panel S of the visual display or directly next to it with the possibility of adjustment or adjustment. The corresponding special window is also indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, the maximum amount of water may be, for example, 100 l. It can also be set to 120 l or 150 l, or any other quantity. Due to this, various types of water with different concentrations of pollution can be taken into account.

The contact element 15 is described above as a force-controlled ball 15. However, it may also have a different geometric shape. It is only necessary to ensure that in the closed position of the switch 14, the contacts 17 are connected to each other in a conductive manner. In contrast to the image in Fig. 7, the contacts 17 can also be placed directly on the board 11 in the form of additional conductive tracks. To force control of the contact element 15 can also be used not a tubular reservoir 16, but another device. However, it should always be as waterproof as possible.

Claims (2)

1. A device for water purification, containing a cup inserted into the cup of the filter cartridge containing cleaning material, and a container for accommodating the cup, into which, when the cup is inserted with the filter cartridge installed therein, the purified water poured into the cup and passed through the filter cartridge, which equipped with an electronic indicator connected to the electric battery, which forms a signal visible from the outside to replace the cleaning material with a new, unloaded cleaning material, in which the indicator is equipped with a programmable m electronic unit with a memory function connected to the battery, and in which an electric element depending on the position of the capacitance is also installed in the electric circuit containing the battery, which does not function when the capacitance is installed along the vertical axis and when the capacitance is inclined with a given minimum tilt of its axis generating an electrical parameter recorded by the electronic unit, characterized in that the electronic unit (9) during each process of draining the purified water from the tank (1) produces a parameter proportional to the amount of of water at the same time, and the indicator is equipped with a visual indication panel (S) visible from the outside, on which from the moment of use of the container (1) with a new filter cartridge (5) installed in it filled with cleaning material, the summed amounts of purified water drained from the container ( 1) are displayed in the form of numerical values, and the indicator is additionally equipped with a panel (Z) of the counting display, indicating, with a countdown in the form of a numerical value, the number of days remaining before installing a new cleaning material. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the panel (Z) of the counting display only shortly before reaching the maximum specified number of days for using the cleaning material, numerical values are displayed, preferably starting from the number “6”.

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