Smart water filter system

• US 10,472,252 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danco Inc (NCH Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Danco Inc (NCH Corporation)
• Inventors: Schuster, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clemente, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Varma, Akash K
• Application Number:
  US14/640,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20150251922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 210739
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/50 with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition B01D29/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/603 by flow measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/1573 Flow control valves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/003 using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices C02F9/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/68 by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water medicinal water A61K
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/005 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/445 Filter life
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/06 Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/10 as part of a potable water dispenser, e.g. for use in homes or offices
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/40 Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Abstract

Various examples are provided for smart water filter systems. In one example, a smart water filter system includes a solenoid valve (or other electrically operated valve) in a water supply line of a faucet, and a filter bank coupled to the water supply line. Activation of the valve can stop the flow of unfiltered water through the faucet while allowing the flow of filtered water through the faucet. In another example, a smart water filter system includes a three-port solenoid (or electrically operated) valve coupled to a faucet, and a filter bank coupled to the water supply line and to a second inlet port of the three-port solenoid valve. Activation of the three-port valve can stop the flow of unfiltered water through the faucet while allowing the flow of filtered water through the faucet.

Claims

1. A smart water filter system, comprising:

a solenoid valve in a water supply line of a faucet, where the solenoid valve is a normally open solenoid valve; and

a filter bank having an inlet coupled to the water supply line before an inlet port of the solenoid valve and an outlet coupled to the water supply line after an outlet port of the solenoid valve;

where activation of the solenoid valve stops flow of unfiltered water through the faucet and simultaneously initiates flow of only filtered water through the faucet.

2. The smart water filter system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to activate the solenoid valve in response to a first signal.

3. The smart water filter system of claim 2, wherein the first signal is provided by a sensor.

4. The smart water filter system of claim 3, wherein the sensor is a voice sensor, a touch sensor, a proximity sensor, a bump sensor, a magnetic sensor, IR sensor or a RFID sensor.

5. The smart water filter system of claim 3, wherein the solenoid valve is deactivated in response to a second signal provided by the sensor.

6. The smart water filter system of claim 1, wherein the solenoid valve is deactivated in response to stopping water flow through the faucet.

7. The smart water filter system of claim 6, comprising a flow sensor in the water supply line, the flow sensor configured to detect water flow to the faucet.

8. The smart water filter system of claim 1, wherein the filter bank comprises one or more filter cartridges.

9. The smart water filter system of claim 1, further comprising a supply line coupled between the water supply line and the inlet of the filter bank and a discharge line coupled between the outlet of the filter bank and the water supply line.

10. The smart water filter system of claim 1, further comprising a venturi configured to draw water through the filter bank when water flows through the solenoid valve.

11. The smart water filter system of claim 1, further comprising a chiller unit, wherein the outlet of the filter bank is coupled to the water supply line via the chiller unit.

12. The smart water filter system of claim 1, further comprising a carbonation system configured to receive filtered water from the filter bank and provide carbonated water via the water supply line.

13. The smart water filter system of claim 1, wherein the water supply line is a cold water supply line.

14. The smart water filter system of claim 1, comprising a generator in the water supply line, the generator configured to produce electric power in response to water flowing through the water supply line.

15. A smart water filter system, comprising:

a three-port solenoid valve having a first inlet port coupled to a water supply line and an outlet port coupled to a faucet; and

a filter bank having an inlet coupled to the water supply line before the three-port solenoid valve and an outlet to provide filtered water from the filter bank, the outlet coupled to a second inlet port of the three-port solenoid valve, where activation of the three-port solenoid valve stops flow of unfiltered water from the first inlet port through the faucet while allowing flow of only filtered water from the second inlet port through the faucet.

16. The smart water filter system of claim 15, further comprising a control unit configured to activate the three-port solenoid valve in response to a first signal provided by a sensor.

17. The smart water filter system of claim 16, wherein the sensor is a voice sensor, a touch sensor, a proximity sensor, a bump sensor, a magnetic sensor, IR sensor or a RFID sensor.

18. The smart water filter system of claim 15, wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the three-port solenoid valve in response to a second signal provided by the sensor.

19. The smart water filter system of claim 15, wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the three-port solenoid valve in response to cessation of water flow through the faucet.

20. The smart water filter system of claim 19, wherein the control unit is further configured to detect cessation of water flow through the faucet based at least in part upon a water pressure between the outlet port of the three-port solenoid valve and the faucet.

21. The smart water filter system of claim 15, further comprising a chiller unit, wherein the outlet of the filter bank is coupled to the second inlet port of the three-port solenoid valve via the chiller unit.

22. The smart water filter system of claim 15, further comprising a carbonation system configured to receive filtered water from the filter bank and provide carbonated water via the three-port solenoid valve.

23. The smart water filter system of claim 15, wherein the water supply line is a cold water supply line.

24. A smart water filter system, comprising:

an electrically operated valve in a water supply line of a faucet; and

a filter bank having an inlet coupled to the water supply line before an inlet port of the electrically operated valve and an outlet to provide filtered water from the filter bank, the outlet coupled to the water supply line after an outlet port of the electrically operated valve, where the electrically operated valve is configured to stop flow of unfiltered water through the faucet and simultaneously initiate flow of only filtered water through the faucet.

25. The smart water filter system of claim 24, wherein the electrically operated valve stops the flow of unfiltered water when activated.

26. The smart water filter system of claim 24, wherein the electrically operated valve stops the flow of unfiltered water when deactivated.

27. The smart water filter system of claim 24, further comprising a chiller unit, wherein the outlet of the filter bank is coupled to the water supply line via the chiller unit.

28. The smart water filter system of claim 24, further comprising a carbonation system configured to receive filtered water from the filter bank and provide carbonated water via the three-port solenoid valve.

29. The smart water filter system of claim 24, wherein the water supply line is a cold water supply line.

30. A method for providing filtered water through a faucet, comprising:

activating an electrically operated valve in response to a filtered water request, where the electrically operated valve redirects unfiltered water away from the faucet and directs the filtered water to the faucet when activated;

monitoring for a change in water flow to the faucet; and

in response to detecting a change in the water flow, directing the unfiltered water to the faucet by deactivating the electrically operated valve.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the electrically operated valve is a solenoid valve.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the solenoid valve is a three-port solenoid valve.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the unfiltered water is redirected to a filter bank to provide the filtered water.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the filtered water is cooled prior to reaching the faucet.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the filtered water is carbonated prior to reaching the faucet.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the electrically operated valve is de-energized if no change in the water flow is detected within a predefined time period.

37. The method of claim 30, comprising updating a filter status in response to de-energizing the electrically operated valve.