Water filter assembly for use in an appliance

• US 7,067,054 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Fritze, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Cecil, Terry K.
• Application Number:
  US10/210,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 210/85, 210/87, 210/97, 210/282, 210/232, 210/234, 210/235, 210/175, 210/323.1, 222/23, 222/189.06, 222/189.11, 222/36, 623/39, 738/617.8
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/302 having inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/305 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/153 Anti-leakage or anti-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/303 the housings being modular, e.g. standardised
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0001 for liquid
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/121 the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser

Abstract

An apparatus for filtering water dispensed from an appliance (e.g. a refrigerator) includes a low-profile filter cartridge (or a bank of filter cartridges) releasably connected to a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly is in communication with the water inlet of appliance and routs the filtered water to points of use. A water usage sensor in the manifold monitors the filter cartridge life and alerts the user when it is time to replace the filter. A latching mechanism includes a latching member 200 on the cartridge and a linearly moveable actuator 174 for releaseably securing the filter cartridge to the manifold assembly. A flow control valve ensures that the water circuit remains closed when the filter cartridge is removed from the manifold.

Claims

1. A modular water filter assembly in combination with an appliance, the modular water filter assembly comprising:

a manifold assembly having a flow control valve operatively disposed therein, the manifold assembly being operatively disposed within the appliance and in operable communication with a water inlet conduit and a water outlet conduit;

a bank of filter cartridges having a plurality of serial, individually replaceable cartridges, the bank of filter cartridges adjoining the manifold assembly and in operable communication therewith, the filter cartridges having inlet and outlet protrusions; and

a linearly actuated latching assembly to operably secure the filter cartridges to the manifold assembly, the latching including (i) a resilient latching member disposed at least one filter cartridge and separate from the inlet and outlet protrusions, and (ii) a linearly moveable actuator.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein each comprises a low-profile, generally rectangular shell and a generally rectangular filter element disposed within the shell.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the linearly actuated latching assembly further includes a corresponding latching recess disposed on the manifold assembly, and wherein the latching member is configured to releasably engage the latching recess.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the manifold assembly includes a flow meter housing assembly for receiving an impeller.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the appliance senses water volume flowing through the filter cartridges by sensing the rotations of the impeller.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the appliance triggers an indicator light for a user that indicates a need to replace the filter cartridges based upon a predetermined maximum volume of water having flowed through the filter cartridge.

8. The modular filter assembly of claim 1 including a cartridge blank, the cartridge blank for replacing a cartridge and for conveying water therethrough between adjacent filter cartridges.

9. The modular filter assembly of claim 8, the cartridge blank having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a flow path in communication with the inlet and the outlet.

10. The modular filter assembly of claim 1 wherein each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges is adapted to filter/purify a certain contaminant, the certain contaminant being different from the contaminants for which the remainder of the plurality of cartridges adapted to filter/purify.

11. A modular water filter assembly in combination with a water dispensing device, the modular water filter assembly comprising:

a manifold assembly operatively disposed within an appliance and in operable communication with a water inlet conduit and a water outlet conduit, the manifold assembly including a flow meter housing portion in fluidic communication with the outlet conduit;

a bank of filter cartridges having a plurality of serial, individually replaceable cartridges, the bank of filter cartridges adjoining the manifold assembly and in operable communication therewith, the filter cartridges having inlet and outlet protrusions; and

a linearly actuated latching assembly to operably secure the filter cartridges to the manifold assembly, the latching assembly including (i) a resilient latching member disposed on at least one filter cartridge and separate from the inlet and outlet protrusions, and (ii) a linearly moveable actuator.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the manifold assembly further comprises a flow control valve in communication with the water inlet conduit.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein each comprises a low-profile, generally rectangular shell and a generally rectangular filter element disposed within the shell.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the linearly actuated latching assembly further includes a corresponding latching recess disposed on the manifold assembly, and wherein the latching member is configured to releasably engage the latching recess.

15. The combination of claim 11, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.

16. The combination of claim 11, wherein the flow meter housing portion is provided with an impeller.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the appliance senses water volume flowing through the filter cartridges by sensing the rotations of the impeller.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the appliance triggers an indicator light for a user that indicates a need to replace the filter cartridges based upon a predetermined maximum volume of water having flowed through the filter cartridge.

19. A modular water filter assembly in combination with an appliance, the modular water filter assembly comprising:

manifold assembly having a flow control valve operatively disposed therein, the manifold assembly being operatively disposed within the appliance and in operable communication with a water inlet conduit and a water outlet conduit;

a filter cartridge adjoining the manifold assembly and in operable communication therewith, the filter cartridge having inlet and outlet protrusions; and

a linearly actuated latching assembly to operably secure the filter cartridge to the manifold assembly, the latching assembly including (i) a resilient latching member disposed on the filter cartridge and separate from the inlet and outlet protrusions, and (ii) a linearly moveable actuator.

20. The combination of claim 19, wherein, the appliance comprises a refrigerator.

21. The combination of claim 19, wherein, the filter cartridge comprises a low-profile, generally rectangular shell and a generally rectangular filter element disposed within the shell.