U.S. patent application number 11/651148 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for water filter assembly.
Invention is credited to Mark S. Bors, Yaakov Korb, Todd C. Loschelder, Sanjeev S. Moghe, Matthew S. Smith, Allen L. Talley, W. Randall Tucker.
Application Number | 20070199879 11/651148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38236324 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bors; Mark S. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Water filter assembly
Abstract
A water filtration system includes a faucet assembly and a
filtration assembly. The faucet assembly includes a spout assembly
having a first water outlet and a second water outlet; a first
valve assembly connected to an unfiltered hot water supply and an
unfiltered cold water supply and operable to control delivery of
unfiltered water to the first water outlet of the spout assembly;
and a second valve assembly connected to a filtered water outlet of
the filtration assembly and operable to control delivery of
filtered water to the second water outlet of the spout assembly.
The filtration assembly includes a filter assembly; a filter
bracket or mounting assembly for securing the filter assembly to a
support surface or structure; and a filter manifold assembly
including an unfiltered water inlet for connecting to an unfiltered
water supply and the filtered water outlet for connecting to the
second valve assembly.
Inventors: |
Bors; Mark S.; (Grafton,
OH) ; Korb; Yaakov; (Grafton, OH) ;
Loschelder; Todd C.; (Macedonia, OH) ; Moghe; Sanjeev
S.; (Chagrin Falls, OH) ; Smith; Matthew S.;
(North Ridgeville, OH) ; Talley; Allen L.;
(Hudson, OH) ; Tucker; W. Randall; (Oberlin,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE HALTER & GRISWOLD, LLP
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
SUITE 1400
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
38236324 |
Appl. No.: |
11/651148 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60757579 |
Jan 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 9/005 20130101;
B01D 2201/4015 20130101; C02F 2307/06 20130101; B01D 2201/302
20130101; E03C 1/0404 20130101; E03C 2201/40 20130101; B01D
2201/4076 20130101; C02F 1/003 20130101; B01D 2201/4023 20130101;
B01D 35/306 20130101; C02F 2201/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/348 |
International
Class: |
B01D 29/00 20060101
B01D029/00 |
Claims
1. A filter assembly for use in a water filtration system, said
filter assembly comprising: a filter cartridge for filtering water;
and a filter canister for housing said filter cartridge, wherein
said filter canister includes at least one non-circular connector
for interfacing with a manifold assembly.
2. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one
non-circular connector is operable to allow said water to flow into
said filter canister.
3. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one
non-circular connector includes a multi-lobal connector having a
plurality of lobes.
4. The filter assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of said
lobes includes an inlet port for said water to flow into said
filter canister.
5. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one
non-circular connector is located between a first circular portion
of said filter canister and a second circular portion of said
filter canister, wherein said first circular portion includes a
groove for receiving a first sealing member, and wherein said
second circular portion includes a groove for receiving a second
sealing member.
6. The filter assembly of claim 5, wherein a distance between a
centerline of said first sealing member and a centerline of said
second sealing member is between 0.670 inches and 1.315 inches,
inclusive.
7. The filter assembly of claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of
said first sealing member is between 0.603 inches and 0.680 inches,
inclusive.
8. The filter assembly of claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of
said second sealing member is between 0.981 inches and 1.060
inches, inclusive.
9. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one
non-circular connector includes a circular portion and a projection
extending from said circular portion for allowing said water to
flow into said filter canister.
10. A filter assembly for use in a water filtration system, said
filter assembly comprising: a filter cartridge for filtering water;
and a filter canister for housing said filter cartridge, wherein
said filter canister includes at least one non-circular connector
for interfacing with a mounting assembly.
11. The filter assembly of claim 10, wherein said mounting assembly
includes a mounting bracket for securing said filter assembly to a
support surface, and wherein said mounting bracket has an opening
for interfacing with said at least one non-circular connector.
12. The filter assembly of claim 11, wherein said opening has an
inner wall, wherein a plurality of ledges project into said opening
from said inner wall, and wherein said ledges interface with said
at least one non-circular connector.
13. The filter assembly of claim 12, wherein said at least one
non-circular connector includes a multi-lobal connector having a
plurality of lobes, wherein said multi-lobal connector includes a
plurality of edges, with each edge being formed where two adjacent
lobes meet, and wherein a lower surface of each edge contacts an
upper surface of a corresponding one of said ledges if said filter
canister is installed in said mounting assembly.
14. A filter assembly for use in a water filtration system, said
filter assembly comprising: a filter cartridge for filtering water;
and a filter canister for housing said filter cartridge, wherein
said filter canister includes at least one non-circular connector
for interfacing with at least one of a manifold assembly and a
mounting assembly.
15. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein said at least one
non-circular connector includes a multi-lobal connector having a
plurality of lobes.
16. The filter assembly of claim 15, wherein said multi-lobal
connector is a tri-lobal connector having three lobes.
17. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein said filter canister
is sealed with a canister cap and said at least one non-circular
connector is formed on said canister cap.
18. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein said filter cartridge
is wrapped in a mesh sleeve.
19. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein a plurality of ribs
project from an inner surface of said filter canister to support
said filter cartridge within said filter canister.
20. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein said filter canister
includes a first non-circular connector for interfacing with said
manifold assembly and a second non-circular connector for
interfacing with said mounting assembly.
21. The filter assembly of claim 20, wherein said first
non-circular connector is a first multi-lobal connector and said
second non-circular connector is a second multi-lobal
connector.
22. The filter assembly of claim 21, wherein a number of lobes of
said first multi-lobal connector is the same as a number of lobes
of said second multi-lobal connector.
23. The water filtration assembly of claim 22, wherein said lobes
of said first multi-lobal connector are aligned with said lobes of
said second multi-lobal connector.
24. The filter assembly of claim 20, wherein said manifold assembly
includes an unfiltered water inlet for connecting to an unfiltered
water supply and a filtered water outlet for connecting to a faucet
assembly, and wherein said first non-circular connector is operable
to interface with said manifold assembly.
25. The water filtration assembly of claim 24, wherein said
manifold assembly includes an interior opening for said unfiltered
water entering said manifold assembly via said unfiltered water
inlet to flow through to said filter assembly.
26. The water filtration assembly of claim 25, wherein said
manifold assembly includes a plunger and a spring for urging said
plunger against said interior opening so that said plunger blocks
said interior opening and a tip of said plunger protrudes through
said interior opening, and wherein said spring is compressed to
prevent said plunger from blocking said interior opening if said
first non-circular connector interfaces with said manifold
assembly.
27. The filter assembly of claim 20, wherein said mounting assembly
includes a mounting bracket operable to secure said filter assembly
to a support surface, and wherein said second non-circular
connector is operable to interface with said mounting bracket.
28. The filter assembly of claim 27, wherein said mounting bracket
has an opening and said opening has an inner wall, wherein a
plurality of ledges project into said opening from said inner wall,
wherein said second non-circular connector includes a plurality of
lobes, wherein an edge is formed where each two adjacent lobes
meet, and wherein said second non-circular connector is configured
so that a lower surface of each edge contacts an upper surface of a
corresponding one of said ledges if said filter canister is
installed in said mounting assembly.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is being filed as a non-provisional
patent application claiming priority/benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/757,579
filed on Jan. 10, 2006.
FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to a water filtration system
and, more particularly, to a water filter assembly for use in the
water filtration system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tap water often includes impurities such as minerals,
chlorine, particulates and other contaminants that affect the
taste, odor, appearance and health quality of the water. To remove
such impurities, water filtration devices are becoming increasingly
utilized for filtering tap water.
SUMMARY
[0004] In view of the above, a water filtration system is provided
that includes a faucet assembly and a filtration assembly. The
faucet assembly comprises a spout assembly including a first water
outlet and a second water outlet; a first valve assembly for
connecting to an unfiltered hot water supply and an unfiltered cold
water supply and operable to control delivery of unfiltered water
to the first water outlet of the spout assembly; and a second valve
assembly for connecting to a filtered water outlet of the
filtration assembly and operable to control delivery of filtered
water to the second water outlet of the spout assembly. A waterway
between the first valve assembly and the first water outlet is
separate from a waterway between the second valve assembly and the
second water outlet. Accordingly, there is no possibility of cross
contamination between the unfiltered water and the filtered water.
The filtration assembly comprises a filter assembly; a filter
bracket or mounting assembly for securing the filter assembly to a
support surface or structure; and a filter manifold assembly
including an unfiltered water inlet for connecting to an unfiltered
water supply and the filtered water outlet for connecting to the
second valve assembly.
[0005] Numerous advantages and features will become readily
apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments, from the claims and from the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention as well as embodiments and advantages thereof
are described below in greater detail, by way of example, with
reference to the drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water filtration
system, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the water filtration system of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the water filtration system
of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a
faucet assembly along line A-A in FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second valve
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second valve assembly of
FIG. 5;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a filter manifold
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the filter manifold
assembly along line B-B of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a filter bracket
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the filter bracket assembly of
FIG. 9;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the filter bracket assembly of
FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a filter assembly of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a side view of the filter assembly of FIG.
12;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly
along line C-C in FIG. 13;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a side view of a filter assembly, according to
another exemplary embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly
along line D-D of FIG. 16;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly
along line E-E of FIG. 17; and
[0024] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled
filtration assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] While the general inventive concept is susceptible of
embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings
and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as an exemplification of the principles of the general
inventive concept. Accordingly, the general inventive concept is
not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated
herein.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a water filtration system 100 according
to an exemplary embodiment is shown as an exploded view. A front
view of the water filtration system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 2
and a right side view of the water filtration system 100 is
illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an
upper portion of the water filtration system 100 along line A-A of
FIG. 2.
[0027] The water filtration system 100 includes a faucet assembly
200 and a filtration assembly 400. Preferably, but not necessarily,
the filtration assembly 400 is installed below the faucet assembly
200. For example, the filtration assembly 400 may be installed
below a sink deck (not shown) on which the faucet assembly 200 is
mounted.
[0028] The faucet assembly 200 includes a spout assembly 202, a
first valve assembly 220 and a second valve assembly 280.
[0029] The spout assembly 202 includes a spout 204 extending from a
spout hub 206. The spout 204 includes a spout tip 208, a filter tip
210, a spout tube 212 and a filter tube 214. The spout tube 212 and
filter tube 214 can be seen in FIG. 4.
[0030] The spout tip 208 defines a first water outlet through which
unfiltered water may flow out of the spout 204. The filter tip 210
defines a second water outlet through which filtered water may flow
out of the spout 204. The spout tube 212 defines a first waterway
through the spout 204 and the filter tube 214 defines a second
waterway through the spout 204. Preferably, but not necessarily,
the filter tube 214 is disposed within the spout tube 212, as shown
in FIG. 4. In an alternative embodiment, a diverter assembly (not
shown) is provided for diverting at least one of said unfiltered
water and said filtered water from said spout assembly 202, for
example, to a side spray assembly (not shown).
[0031] Preferably, but not necessarily, an aerator assembly 216 is
connected to the spout tip 208 to introduce air into the unfiltered
water flowing out of the spout tip 208. The aerator assembly 216
may reduce splashing, while increasing areas of coverage and
wetting efficiency.
[0032] Preferably, but not necessarily, a stream straightener 218
is connected to the filter tip 210 to straighten the flow of
filtered water flowing out of the filter tip 210. For example,
filtered water flowing through the stream straightener 218 becomes
laminar, which provides a pleasant look and feel. In one exemplary
embodiment, a flow rate of the filtered water discharged through
the filter tip 210 is between 0.9 and 1.1 gallons per minute,
inclusive.
[0033] The first valve assembly 220 includes a first valve body
222, a first valve 224 and a first valve retaining nut 226. The
first valve body 222 includes a hot water supply tube 228, a cold
water supply tube 230 and a water outlet 232. The first valve body
222 includes a cavity 248 for receiving the first valve 224. The
first valve 224 controls the amount of hot water and cold water to
be mixed and delivered to the spout 204 via the water outlet 232
for output at the spout tip 208. The first valve 224 may be a
cartridge-type valve assembly.
[0034] The first valve body 222 containing the first valve 224 is
disposed in the spout hub 206 of the spout assembly 202. O-rings
234, 236 and 238 are located in grooves 240, 242 and 244,
respectively, on an exterior of the first valve body 222 to form
seals between the exterior surface of the first valve body 222 and
an interior surface of the spout hub 206. The first valve retaining
nut 226 is connected (e.g., via threaded surfaces) to the first
valve body 222 to secure the first valve 224 and the first valve
body 222 within the spout hub 206. A bearing washer 250 may be
located between the spout hub 206 and the first valve retaining nut
226.
[0035] The hot water supply tube 228 and the cold water supply tube
230 of the first valve body 222 are positioned through a first
opening 252 of an escutcheon 254 and a first opening 256 of a deck
plate assembly 258. A valve body screw 260 may be used to fasten
the first valve body 222 to the escutcheon 254. A bearing washer
262 may be located between the first valve body 222 and the
escutcheon 254.
[0036] The escutcheon 254 and deck plate assembly 258 are mounted
on a support surface, for example, a sink deck (not shown). In this
manner, the hot water supply tube 228 and the cold water supply
tube 230 may pass through an opening in the sink deck for
connection to a hot water supply source and a cold water supply
source, respectively. The deck plate assembly 258 includes a deck
plate 264 located below the escutcheon 254 and a deck seal (not
shown) disposed between the deck plate 264 and an upper surface of
the sink deck. A mounting/bracket assembly 266 is disposed below
the sink deck to secure the faucet assembly 200 relative to the
sink deck.
[0037] A dome 270 covers the first valve retaining nut 226 and
connects (e.g., via threaded surfaces) to the first valve body 222.
A stem 274 located on a top portion of the first valve 224 projects
through a central opening of the first valve retaining nut 226 and
a central opening of the dome 270 and into a lower portion of the
handle 272. A handle set screw 276 is used to secure the handle 272
to the stem 274. Optionally, a plug button 278 may be used to
conceal the handle set screw 276 for cosmetic reasons.
[0038] Accordingly, a user can manipulate the handle 272 to actuate
the first valve 224. For example, lifting the handle increases the
flow rate of the water delivered to the spout 204, while lowering
the handle decreases the flow rate of the water delivered to the
spout 204. Additionally, lateral movement of the handle adjusts the
temperature of the water delivered to the spout 204 by varying the
amount of hot water and cold water being mixed.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second valve assembly 280
includes a second valve body 282, a second valve 284 and a second
valve retaining nut 286. The second valve body 282 includes a water
inlet barb 288 and a water outlet barb 290. The second valve 284 is
disposed within a cavity 292 of the second valve body 282. The
second valve 284 controls the amount of filtered water delivered
from the filtration assembly 400 to the spout 204 for output at the
filter tip 210. The second valve 284 may be a cartridge-type valve
assembly.
[0040] The second valve assembly 280 further includes a tube 294
serving as a waterway between the filtration assembly 400 and the
second valve 284. The tube 294 is connected at one end to the water
inlet barb 290, for example, via a crimp sleeve 296. The other end
of the tube 294 is connected to a dome barb 298, for example, via a
crimp sleeve 300.
[0041] The dome barb 298 serves as a filtered water outlet of the
filtration assembly 400. The dome barb 298 has a hollow dome
portion 302 that narrows into a hollow tip portion 304. On an
exterior surface of the dome portion 302, an upper lip 306 and a
lower lip 308 form a groove 310 for receiving an O-ring 312. The
O-ring 312 forms a seal between the dome barb 298 and an interior
surface of a manifold body 404 of a filter manifold assembly 402
(see FIG. 7), as described below.
[0042] Furthermore, a dome barb retaining nut 314 secures the dome
barb 298 to the filter manifold assembly 402. For example, a
threaded portion 316 of the dome barb retaining nut 314 engages an
upper threaded portion 436 of the manifold body 404 to secure the
dome barb 298 to the manifold assembly 402. In this manner, the tip
portion 304 of the dome barb 298 extends through an upper central
opening 318 of the dome barb retaining nut 314, so that the tip
portion 304 can be joined to the tube 294. The tip portion 304 of
the dome barb 298 defines an outlet end 320 of the dome barb 298,
while the dome portion 302 of the dome barb 298 defines an inlet
end 322 of the dome barb 298.
[0043] Another tube 324 (see FIG. 1) is used to establish a
waterway between the second valve 224 and the filter tube 214 in
the spout 204. O-rings 326 and 328 may be used to form a seal at
the joint where the water outlet barb 288 of the second valve
assembly 280 and the tube 324 are joined. O-rings 330 and 332 may
be used to form a seal at the joint where the tube 324 and the
spout assembly 202 are joined.
[0044] The second valve body 282 containing the second valve 284
extends through a second opening 334 in the escutcheon 254. A
spacer 336 may be used, for example, to accommodate the second
valve retaining nut 286. Preferably, but not necessarily, the
spacer 336 includes a spacer opening 340 for accommodating a
light-emitting diode (LED) 342 of an LED assembly 344. In this
manner, the spacer 336 provides a rigid stop for the second valve
retaining nut 286, so that the second valve retaining nut 286 is
not tightened against the LED 342.
[0045] The LED assembly 344 includes the light-emitting diode 342
and a first wiring 346. Preferably, but not necessarily, the first
wiring 346 has a first connector 348 at one end to facilitate
connection to another wiring. The light-emitting diode 342 may be
used to indicate that a filter assembly 526 (see FIG. 12) should be
replaced because, for example, its filtering capacity is spent.
[0046] A stem 350 located on a top portion of the second valve 284
projects through a central opening of the second valve retaining
nut 286 and a central opening of the spacer 340 and into a lower
portion of the handle 338. A handle screw 352 is used to secure the
handle 338 to the stem 350. Optionally, a handle cap 354 may be
used to conceal the handle screw 352 for cosmetic reasons.
[0047] Accordingly, a user can manipulate the handle 338 to actuate
the second valve 284. For example, turning the handle clockwise
increases the flow rate of the filtered water delivered to the
spout 204, while turning the handle counterclockwise decreases the
flow rate of the filtered water delivered to the spout 204. In
another exemplary embodiment, an actuator (e.g., a button) is
provided in lieu of the handle 338 to control delivery of the
filtered water to the spout 204, wherein the flow rate of the
filtered water may be fixed.
[0048] As described above, the faucet assembly 200 allows a user to
control delivery of unfiltered water from a water supply source and
filtered water from a filtration assembly 400 to a single spout
assembly 202. The filtration assembly 400 shown in FIGS. 1-3 will
now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7-14.
[0049] The filtration assembly 400 includes a filter manifold
assembly 402, a filter bracket or mounting assembly 474 and a
filter assembly 526.
[0050] The filter manifold assembly 402 is shown as an exploded
view in FIG. 7 and as a cross-sectional view in FIG. 8. The filter
manifold assembly 402 includes a manifold body 404, a water inlet
barb 406 and a plunger 408. The filter manifold assembly 402
facilitates connection of a water supply source (not shown), the
filter assembly 526 and the second valve assembly 280. The water
supply source may be a separate water supply source or may be the
aforementioned cold water supply source.
[0051] Unfiltered water is delivered from the water supply source
to the water inlet barb 406 of the filter manifold assembly 402 via
a tube 410. The tube 410 may be connected to the water inlet barb
406 by a crimp sleeve 412.
[0052] The manifold body 404 includes a flat base 414 with a
cylindrical portion 416 formed thereon. The cylindrical portion 416
is hollow and has a cavity that forms at least a first inner
portion 418, a second inner portion 420 and a third inner portion
422. A lower ledge 424 separates the second inner portion 420 and
the third inner portion 422. An upper opening 426 is formed in the
cylindrical portion 416 and a lower opening 428 is formed in the
flat base 414. A tubular projection 430 extends from the
cylindrical portion 416. The tubular projection 430 forms an outer
side opening 432 and an inner side opening 434. The inner side
opening 434 is formed where the tubular projection 430 and the
cylindrical portion 416 meet and forms a waterway from the water
inlet barb 406 to the second inner portion 420 of the cylindrical
portion 416 of the manifold body 404.
[0053] The upper opening 426 is for mounting the dome barb 298 to
the filter manifold assembly 402. The lower opening 428 is for
inserting the filter assembly 526 therein, as described below. The
outer side opening 432 and the inner side opening 434 are for
mounting the water inlet barb 406 and the plunger 408 therein, so
as to control the flow of unfiltered water from the water supply
source to the filtration assembly 400.
[0054] The upper threaded portion 436 of the cylindrical portion
416 of the manifold body 404 engages with the threaded portion 316
of the dome barb retaining nut 314 to secure the dome barb 298
within the cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404. In
particular, the lower lip 308 of the dome barb 298 rests on an
upper ledge 438 between the first inner portion 418 and the second
inner portion 420, such that the O-ring 312 located in the groove
310 of the dome barb 298 is housed within the first inner portion
418 of the manifold body 404. The dome barb retaining nut 314
prevents the O-ring 312 from exiting the first inner portion 418,
thereby maintaining the seal formed by the O-ring 312. Preferably,
but not necessarily, the lower lip 308 of the dome barb 298 has a
non-circular shape for fitting into the first inner portion 418
having the same non-circular shape. For example, a multi-lobular
shape and, in particular, a tri-lobular shape, may be used as the
non-circular shape.
[0055] The flat base 414 of the manifold body 404 is substantially
circular. The circumference of a lower portion 440 of the flat base
414 is less than the circumference of an upper portion 442 of the
flat base 414, so as to form a recessed lip 444 around the outer
edge of the flat base 414. A plurality of flanges 446 are disposed
on the outer edge of the lower portion 440 of the flat base 414.
Each flange 446 has a tooth 448 thereon. The flanges 446 and teeth
448 are used to connect the filter manifold assembly 402 to the
filter bracket assembly 474, as described below.
[0056] The water inlet barb 406 has a threaded portion 450 for
engaging a threaded portion 452 of the tubular projection 430 of
the manifold body 404. Preferably, but not necessarily, adhesive is
applied to the threaded portion 450 of the water inlet barb 406
before it engages the threaded portion 452 of the tubular
projection 430. Additionally, an O-ring 454 is positioned on the
water inlet barb 406 and adjacent to the threaded portion 450 of
the water inlet barb 406 to form a seal where the water inlet barb
406 and the tubular projection 430 are joined.
[0057] A projection 456 is disposed in an interior cavity of the
water inlet barb 406 for engaging one end 458 of a plunger spring
460. The other end 462 of the plunger spring 460 is inserted into a
recessed end 464 of the plunger 408. In this manner, the plunger
spring 460 urges the plunger 408 toward the second inner portion
420 of the cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404.
[0058] More particularly, the plunger spring 460 urges the plunger
408 into a "closed" position by urging the plunger 408 toward the
inner side opening 434 of the tubular projection 430, such that a
plunger tip 466 protrudes through the inner side opening 434 and a
smooth end 468 of the plunger 408 blocks the inner side opening
434. In this "closed" position, water flowing into the water inlet
barb 406 and the tubular projection 430 cannot enter the
cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404. Additionally, an
O-ring 470 may be positioned in a groove 472 adjacent to the smooth
end 468 of the plunger 408 to ensure a water-tight seal between the
plunger 408 and the inner side opening 434. The plunger 408 is
configured to remain in the "closed" position when a filter is not
present in the water filtration system 100 and to move to an "open"
position when a properly configured filter is inserted in the water
filtration system 100, as described below.
[0059] The filter bracket assembly 474 is shown as an exploded view
in FIG. 9, a rear view in FIG. 10 and a top plan view in FIG.
11.
[0060] The filter bracket assembly 474 includes a bracket body 476,
a printed circuit board (PCB) 478 and a sliding door 480. The
filter bracket assembly 474 provides a support for the filter
assembly 526 and the filter manifold assembly 402. In this manner,
the filter bracket assembly 474 bears the weight of the filter
assembly 526 and the filter manifold assembly 402.
[0061] The bracket body 476 includes an upper portion 482 and a
lower portion 484. Preferably, but not necessarily, the upper
portion 482 is perpendicular to the lower portion 484. The lower
portion 484 has a plurality of mounting holes 486 for mounting the
bracket body 476 to a support surface or structure (e.g., a cabinet
wall).
[0062] A rear surface of the lower portion 484 includes an area for
mounting the PCB 478 thereon. For example, a plurality of screws
488 are used to fasten the PCB 478 to the bracket body 476. The PCB
478 includes metal contacts 490 and a second wiring 492.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the second wiring 492 has a second
connector 494 at one end to facilitate connection to the first
connector 348 of the first wiring 346.
[0063] The metal contacts 490 make contact with a battery 496,
which acts as a power source for the PCB 478 and the LED assembly
344. The second wiring 492 connects to the first wiring 346 such
that if the PCB 478 determines (e.g., based on elapsed time,
gallons filtered, etc.) that the filter assembly 526 needs to be
replaced, the PCB 478 causes an electric current to flow to and
illuminate the LED 342. In this manner, a user is provided with a
visual reminder to replace the filter assembly 526.
[0064] The rear surface of the lower portion 484 also includes a
plurality of wiring recesses 498 for holding and guiding the second
wiring 492. Additionally, a wiring post 500 is provided to anchor
the second wiring 492 so that a force (e.g., caused by inadvertent
contact) on the second wiring 492 is distributed to the wiring post
500 and not only to the point where the second wiring 492 and the
PCB 478 are joined.
[0065] A front surface of the lower portion 484 includes a door
slot 502 for receiving the sliding door 480. The sliding door 480
includes a battery compartment 504 for holding the battery 496.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the battery 496 is initially
attached (e.g., via adhesive) to the filter assembly 526 (see FIGS.
1, 2, 12 and 13) so that a user can install/replace the battery 496
at the time of installing/replacing the filter assembly 526. In
particular, the user removes the battery 496 from the filter
assembly 526 and inserts the battery 496 into the battery
compartment 504 of the sliding door 480. Alternatively, the battery
496 may be integrated into the filter assembly 526 so that
replacing the filter assembly 526 necessarily includes replacing
the battery 496 without requiring additional effort on the part of
the user.
[0066] Preferably, but not necessarily, the sliding door 480 may be
readily inserted into and removed from the door slot 502 by a user
without using any tools. For example, the sliding door 480 may
friction fit into the door slot 502 such that the sliding door 480
remains seated in the door slot 502 until the user pulls it out.
Fully inserting the sliding door 480 into the door slot 502 causes
the metal contacts 490 to contact the battery 496.
[0067] The upper portion 482 of the bracket body 476 includes an
opening 506. The opening 506 includes an upper wall 508 and a lower
wall 510 defining the circumference of the opening 506. A
circumference of the upper wall 508 is generally greater than the
circumference of the recessed lip 444 of the flat base 414 of the
manifold body 404 but less than the circumference of the upper
portion 442 of the flat base 414 of the manifold body 404.
[0068] A plurality of notches 512 are formed along the upper wall
508 of the opening 506. The thickness of the upper wall 508
decreases in the notches 512. Adjacent to the notches 512, the
upper wall 508 extends out over the lower wall 510. A rib 514 is
formed near a point where the notch 512 abuts the upper wall 508.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the point where the notch 512
abuts the upper wall 508 is sloped.
[0069] A plurality of ledges 516 project within the opening 506.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the ledges 516 are evenly spaced
within the opening 506, that is every 120 degrees. Preferably, but
not necessarily, the thickness of the ledges 516 is approximately
equal to the height of the lower wall 510.
[0070] Each ledge 516 includes a raised side wall 518, a raised
stop 520 and a sloped portion 522. The raised side wall 518 is
thicker than the ledge 516 but does not protrude into the opening
506 as far as the ledge 516. The raised stop 520 is the same
thickness as the raised side wall 518 but protrudes into the
opening 506 further than the raised side wall 518. The raised stop
520 is located at one end of the ledge 516 and the sloped portion
522 is located on the opposite end of the ledge 516. A flange 524
is positioned approximately in the middle of the raised side wall
518. The flange 524 is operable to move away from a center of the
opening 506 toward the upper wall 508 if sufficient force is
applied to the flange 524. The ledges 516 allow the filter assembly
526 to interface with (and lock into) the filter bracket assembly
474, as described below.
[0071] A perspective view of the filter assembly 526 is shown in
FIG. 12, a side view of the filter assembly 526 is shown in FIG. 13
and a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly 526 is
illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0072] Preferably, but not necessarily, the filter assembly 526
uses a carbon filter and, in particular, an activated charcoal
filter. Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been treated with
oxygen to open up a multitude of tiny pores between the carbon
atoms. The use of special manufacturing techniques results in
highly porous charcoals that have very large surface areas. The
huge surface area of activated charcoal gives it numerous bonding
sites. When certain chemicals pass next to the carbon surface, they
attach to the surface and are trapped. Once all of the bonding
sites are filled, an activated charcoal filter stops working and
should be replaced.
[0073] The filter assembly 526 may be configured to operate across
a predetermined range of water pressures. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the filter assembly 526 operates within a water
pressure range of 20 to 125 pounds per square inch (psi). The
filter assembly 526 may be configured to operate across a
predetermined range of water temperatures. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the filter assembly 526 operates within a water
temperature range of 35 to 100.degree. F. The filter assembly 526
may be configured to have a predetermined usage duration, after
which the filter assembly 526 should be replaced. In one exemplary
embodiment, the filter assembly 526 has a usage duration of six
months.
[0074] The filter assembly 526 includes a tubular filter cartridge
528 disposed in a tubular filter canister 530 sealed with a
canister cap 532. Unfiltered water enters the filter canister 530
via inlet ports 534 and passes through an inlet waterway 536. Once
inside the filter canister 530, the unfiltered water fills a space
584 surrounding the filter cartridge 528, passes through the filter
cartridge 528 (with various chemicals and impurities being removed)
and flows radially inward to a central cavity 538 of the filter
cartridge 528. Accordingly, water in the central cavity 538 of the
filter cartridge 528, which is now filtered water, may be
discharged out of the filter canister 530 through an outlet
waterway 540 and out an outlet port 542.
[0075] The filter cartridge 528 includes a filter cap 544, a filter
bottom 546 and the central cavity 538. The outlet waterway 540
allows filtered water within the central cavity 538 to flow through
the filter cap 544 and out the outlet port 542 disposed in an upper
portion of the canister cap 532.
[0076] The canister cap 532 includes a first raised portion 548, a
second raised portion 550, a lower connector 552, a lower lip 554,
an upper lip 556, a lower shaft portion 558, an upper connector
560, a middle shaft portion 562 and an upper shaft portion 564. The
canister cap 532 is hollow such that the outlet waterway 540 runs
through a central opening therein and ends at the outlet port 542
formed in the upper shaft portion 564 of the canister cap 532.
[0077] Preferably, but not necessarily, the first raised portion
548 and the second raised portion 550 are circular. Preferably, but
not necessarily, the circumference of the first raised portion 548
is greater than the circumference of the second raised portion 550.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the height of the first raised
portion 548 is less than the height of the second raised portion
550.
[0078] The lower connector 552 of the canister cap 532 is formed on
the second raised portion 550. The lower connector 552 has a
non-circular shape. Preferably, but not necessarily, the lower
connector 552 has a multi-lobular shape (e.g., the tri-lobular
shape illustrated in FIG. 12). Portions of the lower connector 552
extend over the second raised portion 550 to form overhanging
portions 566 (see FIG. 14).
[0079] The lower lip 554 and the upper lip 556 of the canister cap
532 are formed above the lower connector 552. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the lower lip 554 and the upper lip 556 are circular.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the lower lip 554 and the upper
lip 556 have the same circumference. A groove is defined between
the lower lip 554 and the upper lip 556 for receiving an O-ring
568. The O-ring 568 forms a seal between the filter assembly 526
and the filter manifold assembly 402 when the filter assembly 526
is mounted in the water filtration system 100, as described
below.
[0080] The lower shaft portion 558 is formed above the upper lip
556. Preferably, but not necessarily, the lower shaft portion 558
is circular. Preferably, but not necessarily, the circumference of
the lower shaft portion 558 is less than the circumference of the
upper lip 556.
[0081] The upper connector 560 of the canister cap 532 is formed on
the lower shaft portion 558. The upper connector 560 has a
non-circular shape. Preferably, but not necessarily, the upper
connector 560 has a multi-lobular shape (e.g., the tri-lobular
shape illustrated in FIG. 12). In one exemplary embodiment, the
upper connector 560 has a non-circular shape formed from a circular
portion and a projection extending from said circular portion that
allows the unfiltered water to flow into the tubular filter
canister 530. Portions of the upper connector 560 extend over the
lower shaft portion 558 to form overhanging portions 570 (see FIG.
14).
[0082] The middle shaft portion 562 and the upper shaft portion 564
are formed above the upper connector 560. The upper shaft portion
564 includes the outlet port 542 for outputting filtered water from
the filter assembly 526. Preferably, but not necessarily, the
middle shaft portion 562 and the upper shaft portion 564 are
circular. Preferably, but not necessarily, the circumference of the
middle shaft portion 562 is less than the circumference of the
lower shaft portion 558. Preferably, but not necessarily, the
circumference of the upper shaft portion 564 is less than the
circumference of the lower shaft portion 558. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the middle shaft portion 562 and the upper shaft
portion 564 have the same circumference. A groove is defined
between the middle shaft portion 562 and the upper shaft portion
564 for receiving an O-ring 572. The O-ring 572 forms a seal
between the filter assembly 526 and the dome barb 298 (in the
filter manifold assembly 402) when the filter assembly 526 is
mounted in the water filtration system 100, as described below.
[0083] The inlet ports 534 of the filter assembly 526 are disposed
between the O-ring 568 and the O-ring 572 such that the O-rings
568, 572 are operable to form seals on both sides of the inlet
ports 534. Preferably, but not necessarily, the distance from a
centerline of the O-ring 568 to a centerline of the O-ring 572 is
between 0.670 inches and 1.315 inches, inclusive. In one exemplary
embodiment, the distance from the centerline of the O-ring 568 to
the centerline of the O-ring 572 is 0.995 inches.+-.0.005 inches.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the O-ring 568 has an outer
diameter of between 0.981 inches and 1.060 inches, inclusive. In
one exemplary embodiment, the O-ring 568 has an (uncompressed)
thickness of approximately 0.103 inches and an outer diameter of
approximately 1.031 inches. Preferably, but not necessarily, the
O-ring 572 has an outer diameter of between 0.603 inches and 0.680
inches, inclusive. In one exemplary embodiment, the O-ring 572 has
an (uncompressed) thickness of approximately 0.103 inches and an
outer diameter of approximately 0.651 inches.
[0084] A filter assembly 600, according to another exemplary
embodiment, may be used in the filtration assembly 400 and includes
structure for protecting an internal filter (e.g., filter cartridge
528) of the filter assembly 600. A side view of the filter assembly
600 is shown in FIG. 15 and cross-sectional views of the filter
assembly 600 are shown in FIGS. 16-17. Except as noted herein, the
filter assembly 600 is substantially the same as the filter
assembly 526 described above. Accordingly, those elements that are
the same between the filter assembly 526 (shown in FIGS. 12-14) and
the filter assembly 600 (shown in FIGS. 15-17) have like reference
numbers in the drawings and will not be further described in
detail.
[0085] As in the case of the filter assembly 526, the filter
assembly 600 includes a tubular filter cartridge 528 disposed in a
tubular filter canister 530 sealed with a canister cap 532. In the
filter assembly 600, a mesh wrap 602 surrounds the filter cartridge
528 to strengthen the filter cartridge 528 and protect it from
damage, for example, during assembly, transit, etc.
[0086] Additionally, a plurality of vertical ribs 604 project from
an inner surface of the filter canister 530. The ribs 604 may be
formed integrally with the inner surface of the filter canister
530. As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the ribs 604 surround the filter
cartridge 528 and its mesh wrap 602 to limit or prohibit radial
movement of the filter cartridge 528 within the filter canister
530, thereby further protecting the filter cartridge 528 from
damage, for example, during assembly, transit, etc. Aside from
these structural differences, the filter assembly 600 functions in
the same manner as the filter assembly 526.
[0087] In further describing the exemplary embodiments, the
filtration assembly 400 (e.g., including the filter assembly 526)
connects to the faucet assembly 200. By way of example, if the
faucet assembly 200 is installed on a sink deck (not shown), the
filtration assembly 400 may be installed below the sink deck (e.g.,
in a cabinet).
[0088] FIG. 18 shows an assembled filtration assembly 400. In
assembling the filtration assembly 400, the filter manifold
assembly 402 is connected to the filter bracket assembly 474. In
particular, each flange 446 on the flat base 414 of the manifold
body 404 is aligned with a notch 512 in the upper wall 508 of the
upper portion 482 of the bracket body 476, such that the manifold
body 404 rests on the upper portion 482 of the bracket body 476
above the opening 506.
[0089] Then, by lowering the flanges 446 into the notches 512 and
turning the manifold body 404 (e.g., counterclockwise) the teeth
448 of the flanges 446 ride over the ribs 514 on the lower wall 510
of the opening 506 to connect the manifold body 404 to the bracket
body 476. The ledges 516 prevent the manifold body 404 from further
counterclockwise rotation. Because the upper wall 508 projects into
the opening 506 above the teeth 448, the manifold body 404 cannot
be lifted from the bracket body 476 when the manifold body 404 and
the bracket body 476 are so connected. Additionally, by virtue of
the recessed lip 444, the flat base 414 of the manifold body 404
rests on the raised side walls 518 so that the filter bracket
assembly 474 supports the filter manifold assembly 402.
[0090] Accordingly, the dome barb 298 of the second valve assembly
280 may be inserted into the upper opening 426 of the manifold body
404 and held therein by the dome barb retaining nut 314. In this
manner, the water inlet barb 406 of the filter manifold assembly
402 functions as an unfiltered water inlet of the filtration
assembly 400 and the dome barb 298 functions as a filtered water
outlet of the filtration assembly 400. The tube 410 connects the
water inlet barb 406 to a water supply source (not shown) and the
tube 294 carries the filtered water output at the dome barb 298 to
the second valve 284 of the faucet assembly 200.
[0091] Before or after connection of the filter manifold assembly
402 and the filter bracket assembly 474, the bracket body 476 is
mounted to a support surface or structure (e.g., a wall of an
under-the-sink cabinet). For example, mounting screws 574 (see FIG.
1) are inserted through the mounting holes 486 to secure the
bracket body 476 to the support surface or structure.
[0092] Prior to mounting the filter bracket assembly 474, the PCB
478 is secured to the rear surface of the lower portion 484 of the
bracket body 476 and the second wiring 492 is arranged with respect
to the wiring post 500 and wiring recesses 498, as illustrated in
FIG. 10.
[0093] The battery 496, which may initially be attached to an outer
surface of the filter canister 530 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13), is
placed in the battery compartment 504 of the sliding door 480. The
sliding door 480 is then inserted into the door slot 502 of the
bracket body 476 so that the metal contacts 490 of the PCB 478
contact the battery 496. The second connector 494 of the second
wiring 492 may be connected to the first connector 348 of the first
wiring 346 so that the battery 496 powers and the PCB 478 controls
the LED 342 of the LED assembly 344.
[0094] With the filter manifold assembly 402 connected to the
filter bracket assembly 474, the water supply source and the faucet
assembly 200 via the second valve 284, the filter assembly 526 can
be installed. The shape and configuration of the canister cap 532
allows the filter assembly 526 to interface with the filter
manifold assembly 402 and "lock" into the filter bracket assembly
474.
[0095] The second raised portion 550 of the canister cap 532 fits
through the opening 506 including the ledges 516 of the upper
portion 482 of the bracket body 476. The first raised portion 548
of the canister cap 532, however, does not fit through the opening
506 including the ledges 516. The lower connector 552 fits through
the opening 506 including the ledges 516 of the bracket body 476
only if the filter canister 530 is properly oriented. For example,
if the lower connector 552 has a tri-lobular shape as shown in FIG.
12, the lower connector 552 will fit through the opening 506
including the ledges 516 only when intersection points 576 where
adjacent lobes 578 meet are oriented to pass through the spaces
along the opening 506 between adjacent ledges 516.
[0096] Once the lower connector 552 is properly oriented, the
filter canister 530 should be inserted into the bracket body 476 so
that an upper surface of the first raised portion 548 of the
canister cap 532 contacts the lower surface of the ledges 516 of
the upper portion 482 of the bracket body 476. In this case, the
lower connector 552 should be disposed in the opening 506 above the
lower wall 510 such that no portion of the lower connector 552
overlaps any of the ledges 516.
[0097] The raised stops 520 of the ledges 516 contact the lobes 578
of the lower connector 552 to prevent the filter canister 530 from
significantly rotating in a clockwise direction. Rotating the
filter canister 530 in a counterclockwise direction causes a lower
surface of the lower connector 552 to rotate along the ledges 516
so that the intersection points 576 of the lobes 578 depress the
flanges 524 of the ledges 516 in order to rotate past the flanges
524.
[0098] Once the intersection points 576 have passed the flanges
524, the flanges 524 return to their original positions so as to
resist clockwise rotation of the filter canister 530 within the
opening 506 in the upper portion 482 of the bracket body 476.
Additionally, the raised stops 520 of the ledges 516 contact the
lobes 578 of the lower connector 552 to prevent further
counterclockwise rotation of the filter canister 530. Accordingly,
the filter canister 530 is considered to be installed and in a
"locked" position relative to the filter bracket assembly 474.
[0099] To uninstall the filter assembly 526 from the filter bracket
assembly 474, the filter canister 530 must be rotated in a
clockwise direction with sufficient force to overcome the
resistance of the flanges 524 against the intersection points 576
of the lobes 578.
[0100] As the filter assembly 526 is being installed in the filter
bracket assembly 474, the filter assembly 526 is also interfacing
with the filter manifold assembly 402 connected thereto (see FIG.
15). In particular, those portions of the canister cap 532 of the
filter assembly 526 that are disposed above the lower connector 552
are inserted into the filter manifold assembly 402 (including the
dome barb 298) as the filter assembly 526 is installed in the
filter bracket assembly 474.
[0101] The lower ledge 424 between the second inner portion 420 and
the third inner portion 422 located inside the cylindrical portion
416 of the manifold body 404 forms a non-circular (e.g., a
multi-lobular and, in particular, a tri-lobular) opening between
the second inner portion 420 and the third inner portion 422. Each
of the upper shaft portion 564, the O-ring 572, the middle shaft
portion 562, the upper connector 560 and the lower shaft portion
558 formed on the canister cap 532 are capable of fitting through
the non-circular opening in the lower ledge 424. None of the upper
lip 556, the O-ring 568 and the lower lip 554 are capable of
fitting through the non-circular opening in the lower ledge
424.
[0102] For the upper connector 560 to fit through the non-circular
opening in the lower ledge 424, the intersection points 580 where
adjacent lobes 582 of the upper connector 560 meet must be oriented
to correspond to the non-circular opening in the lower ledge 424.
The intersection points 580 of the upper connector 560 are
substantially aligned with the intersection points 576 of the lower
connector 552. If the filter manifold assembly 402 is connected to
the filter bracket assembly 474, as described above, then rotating
the filter canister 530 so that the lower connector 552 will fit
through the opening 506 and the ledges 516 in the upper portion 482
of the bracket body 476 of the filter bracket assembly 474 will
ensure that the upper connector 560 is properly aligned to pass
through the non-circular opening in the lower ledge 424 of the
manifold body 404 of the filter manifold assembly 402. Otherwise,
the upper connector 560 will not fit through the non-circular
opening in the lower ledge 424.
[0103] Once the filter canister 530 is properly aligned and is
lifted so that the lower connector 552 passes through the opening
506 and the ledges 516 in the upper portion 482 of the bracket body
476 of the filter bracket assembly 474, those portions of the
canister cap 532 located above the upper lip 556 pass through the
non-circular opening in the lower ledge 424. The upper lip 556, the
lower lip 554 and the O-ring 568 disposed between the upper lip 556
and the lower lip 554 become located in the third inner portion 422
of the cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404, directly
below the lower ledge 424. In this manner, the upper lip 556, the
lower lip 554 and the O-ring 568 form a seal between the filter
assembly 526 and the filter manifold assembly 402 below the inlet
ports 534 of the upper connector 560.
[0104] The upper shaft portion 564, the middle shaft portion 562
and the O-ring 572 disposed between the upper shaft portion 564 and
the middle shaft portion 562 pass through an inlet end 322 of the
dome barb 298 and become disposed inside a hollow dome portion 302
of the dome barb 298, which is held in the first inner portion 418
of the cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404 by the dome
barb retaining nut 314. In this manner, the upper shaft portion
564, the middle shaft portion 562 and the O-ring 572 form a seal
between the filter assembly 526 and the filter manifold assembly
402 (housing the dome barb 298) above the inlet ports 534 of the
upper connector 560.
[0105] As the filter canister 530 is installed, the upper connector
560 becomes located in the second inner portion 420 of the
cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404. Additionally, at
least a portion of the lower shaft portion 558 of the canister cap
532 becomes aligned with the lower ledge 424 so that the filter
canister 530 can be rotated with respect to the lower ledge 424
with the lower shaft portion 558 capable of rotating within the
non-circular opening in the lower ledge 424.
[0106] Accordingly, when the lower connector 552 of the canister
cap 532 is rotated counterclockwise to install the filter assembly
526 into the "locked" position relative to the filter bracket
assembly 474, the upper connector 560 also rotates counterclockwise
within the second inner portion 420 of the cylindrical portion 416
of the manifold body 404. Preferably, but not necessarily, a lower
surface of the upper connector 560 rests on an upper surface of the
lower ledge 424 after the filter canister 530 is rotated
counterclockwise. Preferably, but not necessarily, a lower surface
of the dome barb 298 at the inlet end 322 rests on an upper surface
of the upper connector 560.
[0107] The upper connector 560 rotates counterclockwise within the
second inner portion 420 of the cylindrical portion 416 of the
manifold body 404 until the raised stops 520 of the ledges 516 of
the bracket body 476 halt rotation of the lower connector 552.
Accordingly, when the filter canister 530 has been installed into
the "locked" position in the filter bracket assembly 474, one of
the intersection points 580 of the lobes 582 of the upper connector
560 contacts the plunger tip 466 projecting through the inner side
opening 434 of the tubular projection 430 of the manifold body
404.
[0108] By contacting the plunger tip 466, the upper connector 560
causes the plunger spring 460 to compress and the plunger 408 to
move away from the inner side opening 434. Consequently, the smooth
end 468 of the plunger 408 no longer blocks the inner side opening
434 of the tubular projection 430 of the manifold body 404. In this
"open" position, water flowing in through the water inlet barb 406
and into the tubular projection 430 can enter the cylindrical
portion 416 of the manifold body 404. In particular, unfiltered
water from the water supply source can flow through the inner side
opening 434 of the tubular projection 430 of the manifold body 404
and into the second inner portion 420 of the cylindrical portion
416 of the manifold body 404 where the upper connector 560 is
located. The O-ring 568 forms a seal below the second inner portion
420 and the O-ring 572 forms a seal above the second inner portion
420 to prevent the unfiltered water from leaking out of the second
inner portion 420.
[0109] The unfiltered water in the second inner portion 420
surrounds the upper connector 560 in the second inner portion 420
and enters the filter assembly 526 through the inlet ports 534 on
the upper connector 560. The unfiltered water then flows through
the inlet waterway 536 and into the space 584 surrounding the
filter cartridge 528. The unfiltered water then passes through the
filter cartridge 528 which causes various chemicals and impurities
to be removed from the water. Accordingly, as the unfiltered water
flows through the filter cartridge 528 it becomes filtered water.
As the water is filtered, it flows into the central cavity 538 of
the filter cartridge 528. The filtered water may be discharged from
the central cavity 538 of the filter cartridge 528 through an
outlet waterway 540 and out an outlet port 542 for delivery to the
faucet assembly 200, for example, in response to a user
manipulating the handle 338.
[0110] When the lower connector 552 of the canister cap 532 is
rotated clockwise to uninstall the filter assembly 526 (e.g., to
replace a spent filter assembly 526), the upper connector 560
rotates clockwise within the second inner portion 420 of the
cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body 404. Because of this
clockwise rotation of the upper connector 560, none of the
intersection points 580 of the lobes 582 of the upper connector 560
contact the plunger tip 466.
[0111] With no intersection points 580 contacting the plunger tip
466, the plunger spring 460 extends to urge the plunger tip 466
further through the inner side opening 434 of the tubular
projection 430 of the manifold body 404 until the smooth end 468 of
the plunger 408 blocks the inner side opening 434. As a result,
when the filter canister 530 is moved into the "unlocked" position
in the filter bracket assembly 474, unfiltered water is prevented
from flowing into the cylindrical portion 416 of the manifold body
404. Accordingly, the flow of unfiltered water through the water
filtration system 100 requires the presence of a properly
configured filter assembly 526 and that the filter assembly 526 be
properly installed.
[0112] In the water filtration system 100, according to the
exemplary embodiments set forth above, separate valve assemblies
allow a user to selectively obtain either filtered or unfiltered
water at the same spout 204 of the faucet assembly 200. For
example, filtered water may be selected for drinking or cooking,
while unfiltered water may be selected for cleaning. Additionally,
both filtered and unfiltered water may flow from the spout at the
same time.
[0113] The above description of specific embodiments has been given
by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the
art will not only understand the general inventive concept and its
attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes
and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. It is
sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as
fall within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concept,
as defined by the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *