WO2017036362A1

WO2017036362A1 - Water purifier and method for detecting service life of filter element

Info

Publication number: WO2017036362A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/096935
Authority: WO
Inventors: 黄仁胜; 张国
Original assignee: 佛山市美的清湖净水设备有限公司; 美的集团股份有限公司
Priority date: 2015-09-02
Filing date: 2016-08-26
Publication date: 2017-03-09
Also published as: BR112017008639A2

Abstract

Disclosed are a water purifier and a method for detecting the service life of a filter element. The water purifier comprises a purifier body, a filter element base (20), a filter element (30) and a detection device for detecting the service life of the filter element (30). The purifier body is provided with a first induction switch (10). The filter element base (20) is arranged on the purifier body. The filter element (30) is detachably arranged on the filter element base (20) and the filter element (30) is provided with a second induction switch (40). The detection device is electrically connected to the first induction switch (10) or the second induction switch (40). The second induction switch (40) induces with the first induction switch (10) to start or restart the detection device when the filter element (30) is installed on the filter element base (20).

Description

Water purifier and method for detecting the life of the filter element

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of water purification technology, and more particularly to a water purifier and a method of detecting the life of a filter element.

Background technique

The life calculation of the filter element of the water purifier in the related art is calculated by the circuit system, and the life reset of the filter element is generally operated in the form of the life of the button reset filter. The disadvantage of adopting this method is that the filter reset action is troublesome, that is, the replacement of the filter element requires two actions. The user needs to replace the filter element first, and then press the filter reset button, which is very easy for the user to press the filter reset button first, forgetting The situation of changing the filter element occurs; also the electronic control system of the water purifier in the related technology uses the life indicator light to remind the user, but this still cannot completely avoid the problem of forgetting to reset the filter element when the filter life is calculated, and finally leads to the user's use. A filter element with an expired life affects human health.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the related art to some extent. To this end, the present invention provides a water purifier, which has a simple structure, convenient operation, and a safe and reliable filter element.

The present invention also provides a method of detecting the life of a filter cartridge of a water purifier.

A water purifier according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention includes: a body, the body is provided with a first inductive switch; a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge is disposed on the body; and a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge is detachably Provided on the filter cartridge, the filter core is provided with a second inductive switch; a detecting device for detecting the life of the filter cartridge, the detecting device is electrically connected to the first inductive switch or the second inductive switch, The second inductive switch senses with the first inductive switch to activate or restart the detecting device when the filter cartridge is mounted on the filter cartridge.

According to the water purifier of the embodiment of the present invention, the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are respectively disposed on the body and the filter element, so that the user only needs to perform the core changing action, the first inductive switch and the second inducting when the core is changed. The switch automatically starts or restarts the filter life detecting device after the core change is completed, and the action of pressing the filter reset button in the related art is omitted, thereby avoiding the phenomenon that the user uses the expired filter element due to misoperation, the water purifier The structure is simple, the user is in the process of changing the core, the operation is simple, and the filter element is safe and reliable when used.

In addition, the water purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention may further have the following additional technical features:

According to an embodiment of the invention, the detecting device is arranged on the body or the filter cartridge.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first inductive switch is a reed switch, and the second inductive switch is a magnetic member.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic member is a magnet.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second inductive switch is embedded in the filter element.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the filter element is provided with a mounting portion, and the second inductive switch is detachably mounted on the mounting portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the mounting portion is formed as a plug interface, and the second inductive switch is detachably plugged at the plug connector.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the lower end of the filter element is mounted on the filter cartridge seat, and the first inductive switch is disposed at a position adjacent to the bottom of the filter element.

A method of detecting the life of the filter cartridge according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention includes the following steps:

S1. Detect whether the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are turned on.

S2. If it is detected that the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are turned on, detecting a filtered water quantity of the filter element, and determining a life of the filter element according to the filtered water quantity;

S3. If it is detected that the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are not turned on, the detecting is stopped.

The additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows.

DRAWINGS

1 is an exploded view of a filter cartridge, a filter cartridge holder, a first inductive switch, and a second inductive switch of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a partial view of a filter element and a filter cartridge of a water purifier according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flow chart for detecting the life of a filter cartridge of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference mark:

The first inductive switch 10; the filter cartridge 20; the filter cartridge 30; and the second inductive switch 40.

detailed description

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting.

A water purifier according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

A water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body (not shown), a cartridge holder 20, a filter cartridge 30, and a detecting device (not shown) for detecting the life of the filter cartridge. Specifically, the first inductive switch 10 is disposed on the body, the filter holder 20 is disposed on the body, the filter element 30 is detachably disposed on the filter holder 20, and the second inductive switch 40 is disposed on the filter element 30, and the detecting device is first The inductive switch 10 or the second inductive switch 40 is electrically connected, and the second inductive switch 40 is inducted with the first inductive switch 10 to activate or restart the detecting device when the filter cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge holder 20.

In other words, the water purifier is mainly composed of a body, a filter cartridge 20, a filter cartridge 30, and a detecting device for detecting the life of the filter cartridge. Specifically, the filter cartridge 20 is disposed in the body of the water purifier, and the filter cartridge 30 is detachably disposed on the filter cartridge 20 for the user to perform a core changing operation. The first sensing switch 10 is disposed on the body. The inductive switch 10 can be disposed on the body of the water purifier, or can be disposed on the filter cartridge 20 on the body, and the filter 30 is provided with a second inductive switch 40. Further, the water purifier is further provided with a filter for detecting the filter. A life detecting device that is electrically connected to one of the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40.

When the user installs the filter element 30 on the filter element holder 20, the second inductive switch 40 on the filter element 30 is sensed with the first inductive switch 10 on the body, and the filter life detecting device starts to accumulate the life of the filter element 30, and if After the life of the filter element 30 expires, the user needs to take out the original filter element 30 to replace the new filter element 30. At this time, the second inductive switch 40 on the filter element 30 is separated from the first inductive switch 10 on the body, and the filter life detecting device is stopped. After the user replaces the new filter element 30, the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 sense again, and the filter life detecting device recalculates the life of the new filter element 30.

Therefore, according to the water purifier of the embodiment of the present invention, the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are respectively disposed on the body and the filter element 30, so that the user only needs to perform the core changing operation when the core is changed. The sensing switch 10 and the second sensing switch 40 automatically start or restart the filter life detecting device after the core changing is completed, and the action of pressing the reset button of the filter element 30 in the related art is omitted, and the user can be prevented from being used due to misoperation. The phenomenon of the expired filter element 30, the structure of the water purifier is simple, the user is easy to operate during the core changing process, and the filter element 30 is safe and reliable when in use.

Therein, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the detecting device is disposed on the body or the filter cartridge 20. That is to say, the detecting device for the life of the filter element can be disposed on the body and electrically connected to the first inductive switch 10 on the body. Of course, the detecting device for the life of the filter element can also be disposed on the filter cartridge 20, when the filter element After the assembly with the filter holder 20 is completed, the detecting device is electrically connected to the first inductive switch 10 on the body or to the second inductive switch 40 on the filter element 30.

Optionally, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first inductive switch 10 is a reed switch and the second inductive switch 40 is a magnetic member.

When the user installs the filter element 30 on the filter element holder 20, the magnetic member on the filter element 30 is sensed with the reed switch on the body, and accordingly, two magnetizable reeds in the reed switch are sucked, thereby being activated. The filter life detecting device, the filter life detecting device starts to cumulatively calculate the life of the filter element 30, and if the life of the filter element 30 expires, the user needs to take out the original filter element 30 to replace the new filter element 30, at this time on the filter element 30 The magnetic member is separated from the reed switch on the body, and the two magnetizable reeds in the reed switch are disengaged, and the filter life detecting device stops working; after the user replaces the new filter element 30, the reed switch and the magnetic member are sensed again. The detection device of the filter life is restarted and the life accumulation calculation of the new filter element 30 is performed. Alternatively, the first inductive switch 10 may also be a micro switch, which may be disposed on the body of the water purifier.

Preferably, according to an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic member is a magnet. Thus, by setting the first inductive switch 10 For the reed switch, the second inductive switch 40 is provided with a magnet, so that the structure of the water purifier is simple, the installation efficiency is improved, and the volume of the two is small, the internal space of the water purifier is saved, and the water purifier is easy to implement. The miniaturization, in addition, the lower cost of the magnet reduces the cost of the water purifier.

In some embodiments of the invention, the second inductive switch 40 is embedded within the filter element 30. In other words, the second inductive switch 40 is produced and assembled with the filter cartridge 30, and the user does not need to purchase the additional second inductive switch 40 when purchasing the new filter cartridge 30; or the second inductive switch 40 is not required to be used, The purchased filter element 30 can be mounted on the filter holder 20. For example, if the second inductive switch 40 is a magnet, the manufacturer has preset the magnet 30 on the filter element 30 when manufacturing the filter element 30, which further simplifies the core changing operation.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the filter element 30 is provided with a mounting portion (not shown), and the second inductive switch 40 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion. That is, when the user purchases the new filter element 30, the second inductive switch 40 adapted to the filter element 30 is additionally purchased; or the previous second inductive switch 40 is used, and then the second inductive switch 40 is mounted to the purchased filter element. On the mounting portion of the 30, the filter element 30 is mounted on the filter cartridge holder 20, so that the second inductive switch 40 and the first inductive switch 10 sense and start the detection device for the life of the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge 30 of the structure has a lower cost, and the second The sensor switch 40 can be used multiple times, which is environmentally friendly and energy-saving.

Specifically, the mounting portion is formed as a plug connector, and the second inductive switch 40 is detachably inserted at the plug connector. When the user purchases the new filter element 30, the second inductive switch 40 adapted to the filter element 30 is additionally purchased; or the previous second inductive switch 40 is used, and then the second inductive switch 40 is mounted to the plug-in interface of the purchased filter element 30. The filter element 30 is then mounted to the filter holder 20. Therefore, the structure of the filter element 30 of the structure is simple. By providing the plug connector for mounting the second inductive switch 40 on the filter element 30, the installation of the second inductive switch 40 is facilitated, and the aesthetic appearance of the filter element 30 is not affected.

Advantageously, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the filter cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge holder 20, and the first inductive switch 10 is disposed adjacent the bottom of the cartridge 30. Thus, when the user installs the filter element 30 onto the filter element holder 20, the second inductive switch 40 on the filter element 30 and the first inductive switch 10 at the bottom of the filter element 30 sense, and start the operation of the filter element life detecting device, thereby saving the water purifier. The internal space makes it easy to miniaturize the water purifier.

A method of detecting the life of a filter cartridge of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, a method for detecting the life of a filter cartridge 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

S1. Detect whether the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are turned on.

S2, if it is detected that the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are turned on, detecting the amount of filtered water of the filter element 30, and determining the life of the filter element 30 according to the amount of filtered water;

S3. If it is detected that the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are not turned on, the detection is stopped.

That is to say, when the water purifier system performs the detection process of the life of the filter element 30, firstly, it is detected whether the filter element 30 is provided on the filter element holder 20 of the water purifier, and if the filter element 20 is provided with the filter element 30, the filter element 30 is on the filter element 30. Second inductive switch 40 and body The first inductive switch 10 can be sensed, and the filter life detecting device starts to work. If the system does not detect that the filter element 30 is on the filter cartridge 20, the filter life detecting device does not work.

When the detecting device for the life of the filter element starts to work, the usage time of the filter element 30 is calculated by detecting the amount of filtered water of the filter element 30. Alternatively, if the filter element 30 is adjacent to the preset life, the reminding device on the water purifying device will warn the user. The user can judge whether or not to perform the core changing operation according to the warning condition of the reminding device. For example, the rated life of the filter element 30 of the water purifier is one year. When the system detects that the filtered water volume of the filter element 30 is close to 3000L, the reminder device of the water purifier will warn to remind the user to replace the new filter element 30 and change the core. Upon completion, the filter life detecting device re-tests the life of the new filter element 30, during which the user does not need to perform unnecessary operations.

If it is detected that the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are not turned on, the next time the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are detected to be turned on, the amount of filtered water of the filter element 30 is detected, and according to the amount of filtered water. The service life of the filter element 30 is judged.

Therefore, by providing the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 on the body and the filter element 30 respectively, the user only needs to perform the core changing operation when the core is changed, and the first inductive switch 10 and the second inductive switch 40 are in the After the core replacement is completed, the filter life detecting device is automatically started or restarted, and the action of pressing the reset button of the filter element 30 in the related art is omitted, thereby avoiding the phenomenon that the user uses the expired filter element 30 due to misoperation, the water purifier The structure is simple, the user is simple in operation during the core changing process, and the filter element 30 is safe and reliable when in use.

Other configurations and operations of the water purifier according to embodiments of the present invention are known to those of ordinary skill in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", " After, "Left", "Right", "Vertical", "Horizontal", "Top", "Bottom", "Inside", "Outside", "Clockwise", "Counterclockwise", "Axial", The orientation or positional relationship of the "radial", "circumferential" and the like is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is merely for convenience of description of the present invention and simplified description, and does not indicate or imply the indicated device or component. It must be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Moreover, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" or "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present invention, the terms "installation", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like shall be understood broadly, and may be either a fixed connection or a detachable connection, unless explicitly stated and defined otherwise. Or in one piece; it may be a mechanical connection, or it may be an electrical connection or a communication with each other; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and may be an internal connection of two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. Unless otherwise expressly defined. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood on a case-by-case basis.

In the present invention, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may be a direct contact of the first and second features, or the first and second features may be indirectly through an intermediate medium, unless otherwise explicitly stated and defined. contact. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or above the second feature, or merely that the first feature level is higher than the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely that the first feature level is less than the second feature.

In the description of the present specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like means a specific feature described in connection with the embodiment or example. A structure, material or feature is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In the present specification, the schematic representation of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, various embodiments or examples described in the specification, as well as features of various embodiments or examples, may be combined and combined.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The embodiments are subject to variations, modifications, substitutions and variations.

Claims

A water purifier characterized by comprising:

a first sensing switch is disposed on the body;

a filter cartridge seat, the filter cartridge seat is disposed on the body;

a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge is detachably disposed on the filter cartridge seat, and the filter cartridge is provided with a second inductive switch;

a detecting device for detecting the life of the filter element, the detecting device being electrically connected to the first inductive switch or the second inductive switch, wherein the second inductive switch is when the filter element is mounted on the filter cartridge seat The first inductive switch senses to activate or restart the detecting device.
A water purifier according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is provided on said body or filter holder.
The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the first inductive switch is a reed switch and the second inductive switch is a magnetic member.
A water purifier according to claim 3, wherein said magnetic member is a magnet.
A water purifier according to claim 1 or 3, wherein said second inductive switch is embedded in said filter element.
The water purifier according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the filter element is provided with a mounting portion, and the second inductive switch is detachably mounted on the mounting portion.
The water purifier according to claim 6, wherein the mounting portion is formed as a plug connector, and the second inductive switch is detachably inserted at the plug connector.
The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the filter element is mounted on the filter holder, and the first inductive switch is disposed at a position adjacent to a bottom of the filter element.
A method of detecting the life of a filter cartridge according to any one of claims 1-8, comprising the steps of:

S1. Detect whether the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are turned on.

S2. If it is detected that the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are turned on, detecting a filtered water quantity of the filter element, and determining a life of the filter element according to the filtered water quantity;

S3. If it is detected that the first inductive switch and the second inductive switch are not turned on, the detecting is stopped.