A device for sensing and monitoring fluid level in a container

This invention relates to a device for monitoring fluid level and thereby fluid consumption which is particularly though not exclusively applicable in domestic resin based water filter and purifier. The following description is directed to a device attached to a domestic water filter tank though it is not limited thereto.

Currently, there is no device or means available, to indicate and monitor the amount of water / fluid consumed with regard to domestic water purifiers, absence of a monitoring system leads to over use or under use of the filter cartridge. Over use of the cartridge results in health hazards which under use is economically disadvantageous.

In order to avoid this draw back this device has been developed which uses the conductivity of the water input to measure the volume of water that is consumed.

The device is made of a reference probe and a plurality of measuring sensors mounted on a frame member and are interconnected. This amount is connected to a microcontroller PCB, and visual and dividable indicating means. The microcontroller is programmed to indicate the functional potency of the filter cartridge and the fluid level sensed and communicated to the measuring probe.

Reference probe is a full length probe extending to the entire height of the liquid column in the tank whereas the sensing probes are of varying heights. This unit may either mounted from the top of the liquid container downwardly or may be directed upwardly, from the base of the container when the tank is full, all the sensors and the probe are immersed in water. However, as and when water is consumed, the level of water drops in the container and continuity of the sensors with the probe gets lost. In other word, sensor probes of varying heights get disconnected or the continuity of the sensor probe which is not in contact with the water level is broken with regard to the measuring probe sensor thereby sensing and communicating a different value of conductivity to the microcontroller as the water level decreases and the sensor probes lose contact with the measuring probe one after another when a predetermined water level is reached the measuring probe transmits the same to the microcontroller which activates the LED to provide a visual indication.

This invention relates to device for sensing and monitoring fluid level and life of a purification cartridge in a container housing the fluid and said cartridge comprising a system consisting of interconnected sensing probes of varying heights linked to a reference probe, said system mounted on a frame member and integrated with a microcontroller provided indicating means, said microcontroller programmed to actuate said indicating means when the fluid level in said container reaches the predetermined level and when a predetermined volume of fluid passes through the filtration cartridge.

This invention will now be described with reference to the single figure in the accompanying drawings.

Reference letters WT indicate the Water Tank. The mounting panel is shown by reference letters MP whiles letters MC and PCB indicate the microcontroller and Printed Circuit Board. IM stands for indicating means both audio and visual. MS represents the reference sensor and reference numerals 1 - 4 indicate the measuring sensors of varying heights.

The reference probe is a full length probe which extends through out the depth of the fluid container and the measuring probes are of varying lengths depending on the height of the liquid column to be monitored. For the purpose of identification when the device is mounted from the top of the container the shortest measuring sensor is called the topmost measuring sensor and the second shortest is called the second top most and so on.

In case, the mounting is from the bottom, the longest measuring sensor becomes the top most measuring sensor,

when the tank is filled with water all the sensors are immersed in it establishing continuity with the reference sensor. As and when the water is consumed and drawn out the water level in the container goes down and the continuity is lost in the measuring sensor progressively. The loss of contact and continuity is monitored by the microcontroller which is electrically powered preferably with a battery. The microcontroller is stored with information such as the volume of water between the two measuring sensors and the system calculates the cumulated loss of water volume. The microcontroller also is provided with information and data regarding minimum allowable water storage in the tank and when that level is reached, either visual or sound alert or both are actuated to warn that the water has to be supplemented.

The micro processor is also programmed to indicate the end life of the cartridge or the volume of water which the cartridge is capable of purifying is predetermined and the data stored in the microcontroller when this predetermined volume is reached alert is activated to signify that the life of cartridge is really over. This enables the user to replace the cartridge avoiding usage of cartridge having no active life.

The unit is also provided with low battery indicating means to enable the user to replace the battery when its life expires.

The device may have an automatic switch on / off means connected to a pump for refilling the tank with water for further purification.

The system may also be provided with display means to indicate the volume of water drawn.

Alterations and modification known to persons skilled in the art are within the scope and ambit of this invention.

WE CLAIM:

1. A device for sensing and monitoring fluid level and life of a filtration cartridge in a container housing the fluid and cartridge comprising a system consisting of plurality of sensing probes of varying heights interconnected and linked to a reference probe, said system mounted on a frame member and integrated with a programmed microcontroller provided with indicating means, said microcontroller programmed to actuate the indicating means when the fluid level in the container reaches a predetermined level and when a predetermined volume of fluid passes through the filtration cartridge.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference probe extends through out the height of the liquid level in the fluid tank.

3. The device as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein said indicating means is a light emitting diode to give a visual signal and / or a buzzer for giving an audio signal.

4. The device as claimed in claims 1 to 4 connected to a pump means for supplying fluid, preferably water to the container and a switch off / and on means.

5. A domestic water purifier provided with the device for sensing and monitoring fluid level and life of the filter cartridge as claimed in claims 1 to 4.

6. A device for sensing and monitoring the fluid level and the life of a filter cartridge provided in a container substantially as herein described with particular reference to the figure in the accompanying drawings.