WO2022038580A1

WO2022038580A1 - Modular water filter

Info

Publication number: WO2022038580A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/057717
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Freiseisen; Christian Freiseisen
Original assignee: Freiseisen Hvs Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-08-21
Filing date: 2021-08-23
Publication date: 2022-02-24
Also published as: DE102020121991A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular water filter (1, 100), comprising a plurality of interconnectable elements (2, 3, 30, 103, 4) with at least two filters, wherein at least one of the filters is an ultrafine filter (12), wherein the water filter (1, 100) has at least one valve (13) for ventilating the ultrafine filter (12), and an upper part of the water filter (1, 100) can be formed so as to be rotatable in a range from 0°-360° about a longitudinal axis of the water filter (1, 100).

Description

Modular water filter

The present invention deals with a modular water filter for providing pure drinking water, which should be used, for example, in the home, when camping, on a yacht, in mountain huts and in the Third World. The pure drinking water should be as free as possible of particles, germs (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) and other impurities and residues.

A water treatment device comprising a connector and a filter is known from the prior art in document DE 20 2011 052061 U1. The filter has a base body, which has an accommodation space inside, which accommodates a filter cloth and is connected to a connection opening for the second connection part, a water outlet opening being provided on the underside of the base body, the accommodation space accommodating a filter cloth and the connection opening and the water outlet opening of the base body need not be formed coaxially. This allows the water molecule groups to be broken down so that the cleaning and osmotic power is increased.

Furthermore, in the prior art, document DE 10 2006 013261 A1 discloses a water filter with a container which has a base and a cover, with a plurality of inlets being provided in the cover and an outlet being provided in the base. Inside the tank is a spiral channel connecting the inlets to the outlet. A plurality of spiral channels are preferably provided. This reduces the dwell time of the water to be filtered in the water filter and increases the throughput. Document DE3624414 A discloses a filter for cleaning pollutants from tap water and for decarbonization and sterilization in one filter process. The individual filter media are arranged in five different layers one above the other in the filter cartridge. Each layer causes a partial solution of the overall treatment, while the silver-coated plastic filter causes the elimination of any germs in the water and thus also prevents contamination inside the filter insert.

Document DE 296 13 280 U1 discloses a device for the mechanical and adsorptive cleaning and/or recovery of waste water, in particular roof surface water or rainwater, with a separation stage for separating solids, for example a settling tank, being followed by a lower-lying filter and/or cleaning stage is.

Most of the water filters in the prior art are designed for stationary and frequent use. However, if such a filter is operated in places where it is not in constant use (e.g. on a yacht or a hut), there is a risk that the filter will run dry and germs can accumulate in it. In such applications, a filter would need to be replaced frequently.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a water filter for mobile use in which the above-mentioned problems do not occur and which can be used variably.

This object is achieved by a water filter according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 10. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. A water filter according to the invention has a modular structure and comprises a lower element, a middle element and an upper element, with the middle element connecting the lower element and the upper element to one another.

A water inlet, for example with a connection for a hose, is provided in the lower element, and a water outlet is provided in the upper element.

At least one of the lower element and the upper element has a filter device through which the water to be filtered flows. In some embodiments of the invention, more than one filter device can also be provided, for example in the lower element and in the upper element.

The middle element can have either a pump or a filter device. If it has a filter device, the filtering effect of the lower element as well as the upper element is further enhanced. However, it is also possible that water has to be pumped from a container, in which case a pump can be used in the central element.

If the central element has a pump, this pump is preferably a manually operated pump. This is preferably designed in such a way that compression of the central part leads to a pump stroke. By pressing the upper part of the water filter (repeatedly if necessary), water is thus dispensed (by one pump stroke each time due to a compression of the middle element). Once a user stops squeezing, the center element returns to its original state, ready for the next pump stroke. The modular design ensures that the individual filter media, which can have different service lives, can be replaced individually. In addition, the lower element can be equipped with a relatively insensitive filter, and this part can be provided as a base station, which can be free-standing, wherever a filter is needed, for example in a caravan or on a yacht. It is thus conceivable that a lower element is permanently arranged as a base station at different locations, and a user mounts a middle and upper part on a lower element at such a location at which water delivery is required. For example, water delivery is required at the user's place of residence on weekdays, and at the cottage or on the yacht at weekends.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the lower element and the middle element are separated from each other by means of a non-return valve, such that the water to be cleaned can only flow in one direction, preferably from the lower element to the middle element . In this way, a backflow can be prevented in the event of a pressure drop in the inflowing water. Likewise, the upper element can be separated from the middle element by means of a non-return valve.

Preferably, the lower element, the middle element and/or the upper element have a cylindrical shape. This is most advantageous for the flow of the water and causes the least frictional losses.

Preferably, the symmetry axes of the lower element and the middle element are essentially parallel to each other, and the symmetry axis of the middle element and the upper element enclose an angle between 60° and 120°, preferably between 75° and 105°, more preferably 90°. In the latter case, the axis of symmetry of the upper element is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the middle element. The modular water filter can thus be built as compactly and ergonomically as possible.

Preferably, the filter device of the lower element has an activated carbon filter and/or the filter device of the middle element has an activated carbon filter, an ion exchanger or a nitrate sorption device.

At least one of the activated carbon filters is preferably designed as a bed.

At least one of the activated carbon filters is preferably designed as an activated carbon block. Activated carbon has a very large BET surface area, and a bed of activated carbon not only has a good mechanical filter effect, but can also adsorb dissolved gases such as ozone or chlorine.

An activated carbon filter is therefore a multifunctional filter, and therefore it is advantageous if the water in the lower element is cleaned with activated carbon - both physically and chemically - immediately after entering the water filter.

If the central element also has an activated carbon filter, the cleaning effect can be increased. However, if there are special requirements for water purification, an ion exchanger (to filter out certain ions, such as calcium ions) or a nitrate sorption device (to separate nitrate from the water) can also be provided as the central element.

Because different filters can be used in the middle element, the entire water filter can be assembled in a very versatile way - which is another advantage of the modular design. It goes without saying that different filters are also used in the other elements.

Modules with other filters can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter device of the upper element has an activated carbon filter, which is preferably provided as a cylindrical cartridge, for example in the form of an activated carbon block, and an ultra-fine filter. This preferably consists of many fine channels. The cylindrical cartridge of the upper activated carbon filter preferably consists of a cylindrical jacket and has a cylindrical through-opening in the middle. The cylindrical cartridge is thus designed to be rotationally symmetrical about its vertical axis. In other embodiments, other filter devices as previously described can also be arranged in the upper element.

If water flows through the cylindrical cartridge of the upper activated carbon filter, it preferably enters the cylindrical cartridge at its outer circumference and is discharged through the cylindrical through-opening.

The ultra-fine filter is preferably set up to separate particles with a diameter of 0.1 μm or more.

This allows the separation of the finest particles from the water.

The upper element can be pivoted relative to the middle element, around the vertical axis of the middle or lower element. The angle enclosed by the symmetry axes of the middle element and the upper element is fixed here. The upper element is thus preferably rotatably mounted with respect to the middle and/or lower element, about the vertical axis of the middle or lower element. This includes the Pivotability or rotatability of the upper element with respect to the lower part also a pivotability and in particular twistability of the upper element with respect to the middle element, insofar as the relative positioning of the upper element to the lower part also changes as a result of the pivoting. This applies in particular to a case in which the connection between the upper element and the middle element is rotatably mounted, so that a twisting of the upper element relative to the middle element also simultaneously means a twisting of the upper element relative to the lower part.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a valve is provided in the upper element on the side facing away from the water outlet. The valve is configured to vent air from the top member. To do this, the upper element must be tilted so that the valve is in an elevated or highest position. This can be done, for example, by tilting the entire water filter. In this way, the side facing away from the water drain can be mounted higher than the side facing the water drain. Air bubbles can then escape from the valve in the open state, since these then rise to the highest point at which the valve is preferably provided. The valve can have manual actuation, for example a push button, in order to cause the valve to open when venting is to take place.

In alternative embodiments, the upper element or a plurality of elements can be tilted relative to the rest of the body of the filter device without the entire device having to be tilted. In particular, a base of the filter device can be stationary while the part of the filter device that is positioned above it is tilted. this can be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which it is provided that a base of the filter device is fixedly attached to a surface.

It is also conceivable that in alternative designs, depending on the respective geometric design and arrangement of the individual components, the valve is also not formed on the side facing away from the water outlet, but in a different position of the filter device.

Air bubbles that accumulate on the surface of the ultra-fine filter can be discharged by means of the valve. This can prevent air bubbles from getting into the ultra-fine filter and blocking it or individual channels of it, which would impair the water passage of the filter or even completely prevent it. In a preferred embodiment, in which an activated carbon filter with a cylindrical shape is provided in the upper element, air bubbles from the ultra-fine filter can hereby pass through the cylindrical, through-opening of the filter to the valve.

Preferably, the lower element has a connecting element (e.g. externally threaded) which can be connected to a lower connecting element (e.g. internally threaded) of the middle element, and the middle element further has an upper connecting element (e.g. externally threaded) which can be connected to a connecting element (e.g. with internal thread) of the upper element can be connected.

Thus, the connecting element of the lower element and the lower connecting element of the middle element each have complementary threads. Likewise, the upper connecting element of the middle element and the connecting element of the upper element each have complementary threads. In this way, a reliable connection of the individual elements can be made possible. It goes without saying that the individual modules, filters and other components of the water filter are suitably sealed to prevent water from escaping unintentionally.

At least one of the lower element and the middle element is preferably designed in two parts, with both parts being connected to a pivot bearing. The at least one two-part element can then be rotated about its axis of symmetry.

As a result, the upper element of the water filter can be pivoted, for example to position the water drain appropriately, without having to loosen the connection, here the threaded connection of the lower, middle and upper element. Rather, this connection can be prevented from becoming loose, so that the tightness of the water filter can be improved (example of a freewheel).

Balls can be provided in the water drain, around which the exiting water flows. In this way, the filtered water can be swirled again. Depending on the type of balls, trace elements of the material of the balls can also be added to the water. It is also possible in this way to implement specific water drainage requirements. These requirements can be of a purely practical nature or based on further beliefs of users, for example if they want to use balls that are intended to cause the water to vibrate for certain applications or to impress specific vibrations into the water. A system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention

The invention has: a water filter according to the invention, wherein the middle element can have a filter device, and another middle element, which can have a pump, and also has an upper connecting element, which can be connected to a connecting element of the upper element, and a lower connecting element , which is connectable to the connecting element of the lower element.

Either the middle element can possibly be connected to the filter device or the further middle element can possibly be connected to the pump, to the lower element and to the upper element.

This contributes to the modular design of the water filter and, for example, in the event of an emergency operation, the middle element can be used with a hand pump, which can maintain the functionality of the water filter even in the event of low water pressure or a power failure.

In this embodiment, the lower element, the middle element and/or the upper element preferably have a non-return valve so that the content therein cannot flow back in the direction of the water inlet.

Preferably, the lower element, the middle element and the upper element each have a non-return valve if activated carbon is contained in the respective element, so that the content therein cannot flow back in the direction of the water inlet.

Preferably, the lower element, the middle element and the upper element each have a non-return valve so that the content therein cannot flow back towards the water inlet. The term non-return valve is synonymous with the term backflow preventer. Valves that conform to the DVGW set of rules are preferably provided.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention, the water filter is a device connected to a water supply through which the water flows purely passively due to the water pressure.

This water filter also has at least one lower, one middle and one upper element. The upper element is preferably designed to be rotatable relative to the middle element. The middle element can in turn consist of individual elements, in particular of at least two elements. A first central element can be designed to face the inlet and a second central element can be designed to face the outlet.

The first and the second middle element can have an identical basic shape.

The middle elements, as well as the lower element and the upper element, can be designed to receive a filter. This filter can, for example, be an activated carbon filter, in particular a carbon block. The filter can also be an ion exchanger, as already described above, for example for nitrates, lime or other ions dissolved in the water.

The connection between the second middle element and the upper element is a rotatable bearing, so that the upper element can be twisted relative to the second middle element. In this case, the upper element and the second middle element are preferably connected to one another by means of a screw connection. The screw connection and the rotatable bearing are designed in such a way that a function change between twisting and screwing takes place in that a locking ring coupled to the pivot bearing is provided, the fixing of which leads to a coupling of the screw thread. Thus, when the locking ring is locked, the upper element can be screwed, while a freewheeling of the locking ring also allows a freewheeling and thus a free rotatability of the upper element of the water filter.

In at least one further embodiment of the present invention, the water filter can also be designed without a base. In such an embodiment, the middle member(s) and the top member may be secured to a wall, for example, by a fastener or alternative bracket. The water inlet is then preferably provided on the middle element that is furthest away from the water outlet, ie the first middle element.

In at least one of the elements, in particular the base or one of the central elements, a pre-filter or a pump can also be formed, as already described above. The pre-filter can be provided to filter out coarse impurities from the water. In this way, contamination of subsequent components can be reduced. It makes sense to arrange the pre-filter as the first filter element in the water filter, ie close to the water inlet.

Advantageous developments and preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of the enclosed figures.

1 is a schematic representation of a water filter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the upper member.

3 shows an isometric view of a water filter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 shows a sectional view of a water filter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a water filter according to another embodiment of the invention.

6 shows a sectional view of a water filter according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a detail view of an upper portion of a water filter according to an embodiment of the invention.

8 shows a swirler for a water filter according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a water filter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as a schematic representation. The water filter 1 comprises a bottom element 2, a middle element 3 (or alternatively, another middle element 30) and a top element 4, all of which are connected to one another. The lower element 2, the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30) and the upper element 4 are all cylindrical, the lower element 2 and the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30) are arranged vertically (ie extending vertically). , the upper element 4 is placed horizontally on the middle element 3 (or the further middle element 30). On the lower element 2 there is a water inlet 5, on the upper element 4 there is a water outlet 6. Furthermore, on the A valve 13 is arranged on the side facing away from the water outlet 6 of the upper element 4, with which air can be discharged from the upper element 4 in the open state (of the valve).

A rotary bearing 3f is also provided in the middle element 3 (or another middle element 30), which causes the upper element 4 to be rotatable with respect to the lower element 2 in order to pivot the water outlet 6. The middle element 3 (or further middle element 30) is thus additionally divided into two parts which can be rotated with respect to one another. This is an example of a freewheel according to the claims.

In the representation of Fig. 1 shown here, the pivot bearing 3f, 30f appears as a "ring" which is non-rotatably connected to a lower fastening element 3u (internal thread, see Fig. 4) of the middle element 3 (or another middle element 30), and rotatably mounted around the rest of the central element 3 (or further central element 30) This is also an example of a freewheel according to the claims.

In a further embodiment not shown here, a pivot bearing 2f is provided only in the lower element, analogously to the embodiment described above. This is also an example of a freewheel according to the claims.

In a further embodiment not shown here, a pivot bearing 4f is only provided in the upper element. This is also an example of a freewheel according to the claims.

All embodiments have in common that due to the rotatable mounting, the water drain 6 can be pivoted about the vertical axis of the lower/middle element with respect to the lower part 2. 2 shows a detailed view of the upper element 4 as a cross-sectional view. The upper element 4 is internally equipped with an activated carbon filter 9', which is in the form of a cylindrical sleeve. An ultra-fine filter 12 is provided near the water outlet 6, which has many small channels. On the side of the upper element 4 facing away from the water outlet 6 there is a valve 13 which is designed to let air out of the interior of the upper element 4 .

Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of a water filter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. All parts are the same as in Fig. 1. In addition, a bottle stand 14 is also provided on the lower element 2, which is intended to place a bottle there and at least partially secure it.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention, but showing only the mechanical components of the water filter 1. FIG.

The water inlet 5 and the bottle stand 14 are provided on the lower element 2 . Furthermore, an upper connecting element 2o is provided at the upper end of the lower element 2, in the present case a socket with an external thread.

This upper connecting element 2o of the lower element 2 is connected to a lower connecting element 3u of the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30). This lower connecting element 3u, 30u is preferably a socket with an internal thread. Furthermore, the pivot bearing 3f, 30f is provided on the central element, which divides the central element 3 into two parts which are rotatable with respect to each other. Furthermore, at the upper end of the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30) is a upper connecting element 3o, 30o provided, in the present case a socket with an external thread.

This upper connecting element 3o of the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30) is connected to a lower connecting element 4u of the upper element 4. This lower connecting element 4u is preferably a socket with an internal thread. The upper element 4 is cylindrical like the lower element 2 and the middle element 3, but sits transversely on the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30). The central axes of the middle element 3 (or further middle element 30) and the upper element 4 are in this case perpendicular to each other.

The water drain 6 is provided on one side of the upper element. This is directly connected to the Ultra fine filter 12. The valve 13 is provided on the side of the upper element 4 facing away from the water outlet 6 .

The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. In addition to the lower element 2 and the middle element 3, further modular components can be provided. Furthermore, the lower element 2, the middle element 3 (or the further middle element 30) and the upper element 4 could also have other geometries, for example with a square, hexagonal or other cross-section. It is also understood that the other embodiments described below also have the same or similar coupling and fastening means, without this having to be explicitly illustrated or described again.

5 shows an isometric view of another embodiment of a water filter 100 of the present invention. Elements marked with the same reference symbols mark the same or similar ones Components whose description is not repeated below. The water filter 100 differs from that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 in that a middle element 103 is formed between the base 2 and the upper element 4, the middle element 103 here consisting of two individual elements 103u, 103o. A first middle element 103u is arranged on a side of the middle element 103 facing the water inlet 5 . A second middle element 103o is arranged on a side of the middle element 103 facing the water outlet. The first middle element 103u and the second middle element 103o are essentially identical in construction.

6 shows a cross-sectional representation of the water filter 100 according to an embodiment. 6 shows that the first middle element 103u is connected to the second middle part 103o by means of a screw connection. A check valve 13 is provided in the second middle element 103o on the side facing the first middle element 103u.

In the same way as previously described, the first central element 103u is connected to the base 2 and the second central element 103o to the upper element 4.

A water inlet 105 is provided in the base 2 . In the embodiment shown here, the water inlet 105 is designed to be connected to a commercially available hose. In this way, any external water source can be connected to the water filter. In particular, this allows an external pump to pump water into the water filter. However, the water inlet can also be another inlet, as described above, for example. In some embodiments, the water inlet 105 can be pivotable or tiltable. In this way, improved compatibility with different water supply systems can be made possible.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 it is therefore provided that the water pressure is built up outside of the water filter. It is also conceivable, as also described above, that a pumping device, automatically or manually, is also provided within the water filter 100 according to the embodiment shown here.

The first middle element 103u and the second middle element 103o are designed to accommodate a filter or another material required for water treatment or a corresponding device in their respective interior.

FIG. 6 shows that a nitrate adsorption device 11 is formed in the base 2 . The first middle element 103u is not filled here. The second middle element has an ion exchanger 10 and the upper element 4 has a carbon filter 9 . The activated charcoal filter can be designed as a charcoal block or in powder form. It goes without saying that a different order of the various processing components can also be selected here. In addition, it goes without saying that not all of the aforementioned treatment components have to be present, or that individual components, in particular an activated carbon filter, can be provided in multiples. Advantageously, the charcoal filter 9 is shaped in the form of a charcoal block with a cylindrical recess, as described above, if this is to be used in the upper part 4 before the superfine filter 12. The water filter 100 according to the embodiment according to FIG. 6 also has a swirler in the second central element 103o on the side facing the first central element 103u. The swirler is mounted in such a way that the water entering the second middle member through the valve 13 also flows through the swirler 115 causing it to rotate. In this way, the water can be conducted more homogeneously through the treatment filter, here the ion exchanger 10 , which leads to a more even wear of the filter 10 .

As already shown in the previously described embodiment, the water filter has a bottle stand 14 . The bottle stand 14 can be pivoted around the base essentially in an angular range of 0° to 360°, in particular in an angular range of 0° to 340°. In this way, the bottle stand 14 can be arranged according to the freely selectable position of the water outlet, depending on the positioning of the upper element 4. For this purpose, the bottle stand can be mounted and adjustably arranged with a holder, for example based on a tongue and groove guide.

The upper element 4 has a rear cover 41 on the side facing away from the water outlet 6 . The rear cover 41 is designed in such a way that the carbon filter 9 can be accessed by removing the cover. In this way, the carbon filter 9 can be removed from the upper element. The charcoal filter 9 is formed separately from the ultra-fine filter 12 so that the charcoal filter 9 can be removed from the upper element independently of the ultra-fine filter 12 . This can be the case analogously for the embodiments shown in FIGS.

A front cover 42 is arranged on the side of the upper element 4 facing the water outlet 6 . The front lid 42 allows in open State access to the ultra-fine filter 12, so that this from the top

item can be removed.

The removal of the charcoal filter 9 or any other filter 9, 9', 9", 10, 11 located in the upper element 4 facing the valve 13 or the ultra-fine filter 12 is permitted through the rear cover 41 or the front cover 42 to independently replace the filters with different periodicity. The typical service life of a charcoal filter is up to several months, that of an ion exchanger a few weeks or months, depending on the water quality, and that of a micro filter up to a few years.

It should also be noted that the first middle element 103u and/or the second middle element 103o can be exchangeable. This means that in some versions of the invention it is possible that, based on the embodiment shown in FIG contains built-in filters or other components to suit the circumstances. This applies analogously to the second middle element 103o.

In addition, it is conceivable that the individual elements, that is to say the base, middle element or middle elements and/or upper element, are each formed with openings which enable the filters to be replaced without replacing the entire module. This applies in particular to the base 2. For this purpose, as can be seen from FIG. 6, the base 2 can have a detachable base plate which enables access to the filter 11 located therein.

In this way, the modularly constructed water filter according to the present invention can make it possible to be flexibly and adaptively adapted to the respective requirements for water treatment. It can For example, in a flooded area when the water supply fails, it may be necessary to provide a plurality of carbon or nitrate filters to clean polluted water. The same water filter with exchanged filter elements could be retrofitted when the water supply is restored, in order to soften the clean water that is now provided again by means of an ion exchanger.

In other embodiments of the invention, the water filter can also have one or more than two central elements. In addition, it is conceivable that the middle element is designed in one piece, but is segmented on the inside in order to arrange one or a plurality of filters or other water treatment components therein.

7 shows a detailed view of the upper element 4 of the water filter 100 with the locking ring 120 adjoining it and the middle element 103. The following explanations are equally applicable to the previously described embodiments of the invention. The upper element 4 has a valve 13 . The valve 13 is coupled to a coupling portion 122 of the locking ring 120 by means of a thread 123 . The coupling section 122 is in turn detachably coupled to an abutment 121 of the locking ring 120 . The abutment 121 is attached to the locking ring 120 . Alternatively, the abutment 121 can also be designed in one piece with the locking ring 120 . The locking ring 120 is also connected to the central element 103 by means of a further thread 124 . The abutment 121 is used for coupling to the coupling section 122 and for inhibiting any vertical movement of the upper element 4. This also represents freewheeling according to the claims.

The coupling section 122 is rotatably mounted relative to the rest of the locking ring 120 . In this way, the upper element 4 relative to the locking ring 120 without loosening one of the threads. This can allow any rotation of 360° of the upper element 4 around the vertical axis of the water filter. In this way, the water outlet 6 can be adjusted according to the specific requirements.

If the upper element 4 is twisted together with the locking ring 120, the thread 124 to the middle element 103 can be loosened, for example in order to exchange the middle element 103, as previously described.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a swirler 115 as can be arranged in at least one of the modules of the water filter. The swirler 115 has a round base. The swirler 115 is designed to be rotatable about a main axis of the respective element 2, 3, 30, 103, 4 of the water filter. To achieve swirl, swirler 115 includes a plurality of vanes 116 extending along a curved trajectory from an inner diameter 117 toward an outer diameter 118 of swirler 115 . Depending on the curvature and the direction of curvature of the blades 116, the direction of rotation of the swirler 115 and the strength of the swirling of the water can be adjusted. The inner diameter 117 can be selected in such a way that the swirler 115 can be arranged around the valve 13 . Thus, the water flowing in through the valve 13 can flow directly into the swirler 115 and cause it to rotate, which in turn swirls the water. In this way, a more even wear of the filter component can be made possible.

The invention also includes the following aspects: 1st aspect: A water filter (1), comprising: a lower element (2), a middle element (3) and an upper element (4), wherein the middle element (3), the lower element (2) and the upper element ( 4) connects to one another, with a water inlet (5) being provided in the lower element (2) and a water outlet (6) being provided in the upper element (4), and at least one of the lower element (2) and the upper element (4 ) has a filter device (7, 7'), and the middle element (3) has a pump (8) or a filter device (7").

2nd aspect: The water filter (1) according to aspect 1, wherein the lower element (2), the middle element (3) and/or the upper element (4) have a cylindrical shape, and/or wherein the lower element (2) , the middle element (3) and/or the upper element (4) have a non-return valve so that the content therein cannot flow back in the direction of the water inlet (5).

3rd aspect: Water filter (1) according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the symmetry axes of the lower element (2) and the middle element (3) are parallel to each other, and the symmetry axis of the middle element (3) and the upper element (4) enclose an angle between 60° and 120°, preferably between 75° and 105°, more preferably 90°.

4th aspect: Water filter (1) according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the filter device (7) of the lower element (2) has an activated carbon filter (9) and/or wherein the filter device (7") of the middle element (3) has an activated carbon filter (9"), an ion exchanger (10) or a nitrate sorption device (11).

5th aspect: water filter (1) according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the filter device (7 ') of the upper element (4) an activated carbon filter (9'), which is preferably provided as a cylindrical cartridge, and a

U Itra Feinstf ilter (12), wherein the upper element (4) on the side facing away from the water outlet (6) has a valve (13) which is set up to let air out of the upper element (4).

6th aspect: Water filter (1) according to aspect 5, wherein the ultra-fine filter (12) is set up to separate particles with a diameter of 0.1 μm or more.

7th aspect: water filter (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the upper element (4) relative to the lower element (2) is pivotable about the vertical axis and with respect to the lower element (2), wherein upper (4), middle (3) and lower element (2) are connected to each other by means of internal and external threads, the water filter (1) being constructed in such a way that pivoting of the upper element (4) by means of a freewheel does not lead to loosening of one of the threaded connections.

8th aspect: Water filter (1) according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the lower element (2) has a connecting element (2o) which can be connected to a lower connecting element (3u) of the middle element (3). and the middle element (3) further has an upper connecting element (3o) which can be connected to a connecting element (4u) of the upper element (4), the connecting element (2o) of the lower element (2) and the lower Connecting element (3u) of the middle element (3) each have complementary threads, and/or the upper connecting element (3o) of the middle element (3) and the connecting element (4u) of the upper element (4) each have complementary threads.

9th aspect: Water filter (1) according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein at least one of the lower element (2) and the middle element (3) is designed in two parts and can be rotated about its axis of symmetry.

10th aspect: system comprising: a water filter (1) according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the central element (3) has a filter device (7"), and a further central element (30) which has a pump (8). and further has an upper connecting element (30o) which can be connected to a connecting element (4u) of the upper element (4), and a lower connecting element (30u) which can be connected to the connecting element (2o) of the lower element (2), either the middle element (3) or the further middle element (30) being connected to the lower element (2) and the upper element (4). The invention thus generally relates to a modular water filter 1, 100, comprising a plurality of elements 2, 3, 30, 103, 4 which can be connected to one another and having at least two filters 9, 10, 11, 12, with at least one of the filters being an ultra-fine filter 12 the water filter 1, 100 has at least one valve 13 for venting the ultra-fine filter 12, and an upper part of the water filter 1, 100 can be rotated in a range of 0°-360° about a longitudinal axis of the water filter 1, 100 can.

reference list

1, 100 water filters

2 lower element

2o fastener

3 middle element

3u, 3o connector

30 alternate middle element

4 top element

4u fastener

41 rear cover

42 front cover

5 water inlet

6 water drain

7, 7' filter device

8 pump

9, 9' activated carbon filter

10 ion exchanger

11 nitrate adsorption device

12 ultra-fine filters

13 valve Bottle stand middle element u first middle element o second middle element

swirler

shovels

Inside diameter of the swirler

Outside diameter of the swirler

locking ring

abutment

coupling section

thread

Claims

Claims Water filter (1, 100), comprising: a lower element (2), a middle element (3, 103) and an upper element (4), wherein the middle element (3, 103) is adapted to the lower element ( 2) and to connect the upper element (4) to each other, with a water inlet (5, 105) being provided in the lower element (2), and a water outlet (6) being provided in the upper element (4), and at least one of the lower Element (2), and the upper element (4) has a filter device, wherein the filter device of the upper element (4) has a filter (9, 9 '.

10, 11), in particular an activated carbon filter, and an ultra

Fine filter (12), wherein the upper element (4) further comprises a valve (13) which is adapted to let air out of the upper element (4), wherein the upper element (4) relative to the lower element (2 ) around the vertical axis and with respect to the lower element (2) is pivotable. Water filter (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein the lower element (2), the middle element (3, 103) and/or the upper element (4) have a cylindrical shape, and/or wherein the lower element (2) , the middle element (3, 103) and/or the upper element (4) have a non-return valve so that the content therein cannot flow back in the direction of the water inlet (5).

29 Water filter (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the symmetry axes of the lower element (2) and the middle element (3, 103) are parallel to each other, and the symmetry axis of the middle element (3, 103) and the upper element ( 4) enclose an angle between 60° and 120°, preferably between 75° and 105°, more preferably 90°. Water filter (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter device of the lower element (2) has an activated carbon filter (9) and/or wherein the filter device of the middle element (3, 103) has an activated carbon filter, an ion exchanger or a nitrate sorption device . Water filter (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the activated carbon filter (9') is provided as a cylindrical cartridge. Water filter (1, 100) according to claim 5, wherein the Ultra fine filter (12) is set up to separate particles with a diameter of 0.1 pm or more. A water filter (1, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein upper (4), middle (3, 103) and lower members (2) are connected together by means of internal and external threads, the water filter (1, 100) being so constructed that the pivoting of the upper element (4) by means of a free wheel does not lead to loosening of one of the threaded connections.

30 Water filter (1, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower element (2) has a connecting element (2o) which can be connected to a lower connecting element (3u) of the middle element (3), and the middle element (3) further has an upper connecting element (3o) which can be connected to a connecting element (4u) of the upper element (4), with preferably the connecting element (2o) of the lower element

(2) and the lower connecting element (3u) of the middle element

(3) each have complementary threads, and/or the upper connecting element (3o) of the middle element (3) and the connecting element (4u) of the upper element (4) each have complementary threads. Water filter (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lower element (2) and the middle element (3) is designed in two parts and can be rotated about its axis of symmetry. A system comprising: a water filter (1, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the middle element (3, 103) comprises a filter device, and another middle element (30, 103u, 103o) which comprises a pump and further a has an upper connecting element (3o, 30o) which can be connected to a connecting element (4u) of the upper element (4), and a lower connecting element (3u, 30u), which can be connected to the connecting element (2o) of the lower element (2), either the middle element (3, 103) or the further middle element (30, 103u, 103o) with the lower element (2) and the upper element (4) can be connected.