DESC:FORM-2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and rule 13)
Title: CONVERTIBLE WATER PURIFIER AND METHOD THEREOF
APPLICANT DETAILS:
(a) NAME: A. O. Smith India Water Products Pvt Ltd
(b) NATIONALITY: IN
(c) ADDRESS: Plot No. 300, KIADB Industrial Area, Phase -2, Harohalli, Kanakapura Taluk,
Ramanagara District, 562112, Karnataka, India.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
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CONVERTIBLE WATER PURIFIER AND METHOD THEREOF
Field of Invention:
[001] The present invention relates to a convertible water purifier. Particularly, the Invention provides a water purifier which can switch water purification technology automatically or as per user preference.
Background of the Invention:
[002] The following background discussion includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Purified water is required for many purposes, mainly for drinking and cleaning along with other purposes like analysis, medical purposes. Water is purified by a number of techniques, which are often used in combinations, for providing the highest purity. These techniques include membrane filtration, single or multiple distillation, adsorption, disinfection and ion exchange.
[004] The water quality (e.g. TDS) changes according to the source and region and thus the water purification technology also needs to be tailored according to the water quality. The single purification technology will not be effective in treating water with different kinds of impurities originating from different source or region. Hence, there is needed a technology that can purify water, adjusts purification mode as per the types of impurities present in the inlet water and finally provide user with the clean and purified water.
[005] The conventional technologies focuses on regulating/adjusting TDS by various means like pressure regulating valve, mixing water etc. like CN106693498A discloses a TDS-based simple water purifier filter monitor comprises a TDS device and a hand switch and a faucet connected to the TDS device through a connecting line; one end of the faucet is provided with a faucet handle; the hand pull switch and the faucet And the TDS device comprises a housing and a circuit board installed in the shell; the circuit board is provided with a power source and a display screen, a switch and a probe which are electrically connected with the power source.
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[006] However, such technologies does not remove all the impurities from water. The main purpose of water treatment is to remove harmful chemicals and microbial contaminants from water. In case of regulating valve or mixing of water the water TDS can be attained for bestter taste, but this will add the impurities back with the partially purified water. There does not exist/s a technology that can switch water purification modes automatically or as per user preference for cleaning/treating the water from different source of water like municipal, borewell and mixed water. Hence, there is an unmet need of a water purifier that can efficiently purify water from different geographical conditions. Particularly, there is a need of a water purifier that shifts or switches the purification technology/modes based on the inlet water quality or on the customer/user selection.
Objective of the Invention:
[007] Primary object of the present invention is to overcome the drawback associated with the prior systems and methods.
[008] An object of the present invention is to provide a convertible water purifier which can switch water purification technology automatically or as per user preference.
[009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide water purifier that shifts or switches the purification technology/modes based on the inlet water quality or on the customer/user selection.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide water purifier that switches technology based on the TDS of the inlet water.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide water purifier which can switch/ adjusts the water purification/treatment technology modes based on different geographical region.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide water purifier which can switch/ adjusts the water purification/treatment technology modes based on different types of water sources.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide water purifier that does not mix water while treating to achieve the purified water with a specific TDS /according to inlet water TDS.
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[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of operation of water purifier that shifts or switches the purification technology/modes based on the inlet water quality or on the customer/user selection.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that can switch the technology based on the sensor selection in the feed water.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier with secondary disinfection technology at the time of dispensing.
[0017] Yet another object is to provide water purifier based on the disinfection technology comprising UV/UV LED/ electro adsorption/ chemical reduction/UF/ or any microbial reduction technology or disinfection technology.
[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier where switching of technology will be controlled by the solenoid valve where in both the technology and the combination won’t happen at the same time.
[0019] Yet another object is to provide a water purifier that can dispense water online or from storage to avoid mixing of the water.
Summary of the Invention:
In an aspect of the Invention, there is provided a convertible water purifier with automatic switching mechanism for obtaining purified water or a purified water with desirable parameters by a user, comprising:
a) atleast a sediment filter and a carbon filter for receiving the inlet feed water through solenoid valve 1;
b) atleast a TDS sensor/ TDS probe for determining the feed/inlet water TDS of the filtered water received through sediment filter and a carbon filter and atleast a processor for receiving the inputs from the sensor and determining the purification path of the feed water based on the same, where said determination of the path is automatic or pre-set by the user;
wherein the TDS probe, in case TDS of the feed water is less than 150ppm, directs the water, to pass through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment and further for being stored in a storage tank for use;
c) atleast an RO unit connected to a Microbial reduction technology unit;
wherein the TDS probe, if TDS of the feed water is greater than or equal to 150ppm, directs the water to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to
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drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the treated water from RO unit undergoes treatment in saidmicrobial reduction technology unit and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of operation of the convertible water purifier with automatic switching mechanism for obtaining purified water or a purified water with desirable parameters by a user, comprising the steps of:
a) receiving the inlet feed water by atleast a sediment filter and a carbon filter, through solenoid valve 1, for filtration;
b) measuring the TDS of the water obtained in step (a) by the TDS sensor/ TDS probe for determining the purification path of the feed water where the determination of the purification path is automatic or pre-set by the user;
wherein the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment, if the TDS of the feed water is less than 150ppm;
or the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the filtered water from RO unit undergoes treatment in microbial reduction technology unit if the TDS of the feed water is more than 150ppm and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use or in line dispensing.
Detailed Description of Drawing:
[0020] The foregoing detailed description of preferred embodiments, are better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and system disclosed. In the drawings:
[0021] Figure 1 illustrates view of an embodiment of the water purifier provided by the present invention.
Detailed Description of Invention:
[0022] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail.
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[0023] The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0024] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
[0025] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0026] The elements illustrated in the Figures inter-operate as explained in more detail below. Before setting forth the detailed explanation, however, it is noted that all of the discussion below, regardless of the particular implementation being described, is exemplary in nature, rather than limiting.
[0027] The present invention relates to a convertible water purifier. Particularly, the Invention provides a water purifier which can switch water purification technology automatically or as per user preference.
[0028] In an embodiment, the water purifier shifts or switches the purification technology/modes based on the inlet water quality or on the customer/user selection. In water purifier, the technology selection is based on the inlet TDS.
[0029] The water quality (e.g. TDS) changes according to the source and region and thus the water purification technology also needs to be changed according to the water quality as a single purification technology will not be effective in treating water with different kinds of impurities. The convertible water purifier provided by the present invention can switch water purification technology automatically or as per user preference. Particularly, the technology switch over is according to the feed water quality. The water purifier switches the technology based on real time TDS or water quality. The technology helps if there is a change in water quality due to different geographical region, different source of water like municipal, borewell and mixed water. This is particularly useful when a user
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migrates from one place to another and there is the requirement of different purification technology due to the changed TDS.
[0030] In an embodiment, the purification path of water purifier is shifted or changed based on the purification technology/modes activated by the water purifier.
[0031] In an embodiment, the water passing after being treated through different purification technology gets dispensed from separate faucet or single faucet, however, there is no mixing of water under any circumstances.
[0032] In an embodiment, the water purifier comprises disinfectant chamber/filter.
[0033] Functioning of the water purifier:
In an embodiment, the water purifier comprises sensor at inlet of the water. The sensor determines various parameters, example feed water TDS, and automatically selects the water purification path. The final TDS of the purified water will vary based on the inlet water and the technology selected by the water purifier. There is no mixing of the water in the whole process.
[0034] In an embodiment, the water purifier can select either of the path i.e. RO and/or microbial filter and/or UV/ UF/Electro adsorption/ ionization / chemical reduction or any microbial filter. The water purifier will select only one purification technology mode at a time for treating/purifying the water.
[0035] In an embodiment, the water purifier comprises storage mode. In the storage mode, the treated water is stored in the storage tank.
[0036] In an embodiment, the storage mode comprises disinfectant chamber/filter with disinfection technology or microbial reduction technology such as UV or UV LED/ UF/Electro adsorption/ ionization/ chemical reduction and the water will be passed through this chamber or membrane or filter at the time of dispensing.
[0037] In an embodiment, the water purifier comprises atleast two technology water purifiers i.e. RO+ UV/UF or/ and any microbiological filter OR UV/ UF/ UF/Electro adsorption/ ionization chemical reduction/Microbial reduction filter. The water purifier works with RO +UV / UF/Electro adsorption/ ionization where in this will help in removal of the physical, chemical and biological contaminants. This can be used in the water sources which is high in hardness and water contaminants are more or if the source of water is not known. While, the second technology removes physical and some organic
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contaminants and microbial contamination. This is particularly for the places which is low in contaminants, or the source of water is known, mostly municipal water. An illustrative view is provided in Figure 1.
[0038] In an embodiment, the switching of the water technology happens when the solenoid valve opens upon the signal from PCB.
[0039] In an embodiment, the selection of the technology can be manual where is the customer can select the path of water and the solenoid valve opens according to the section by the input from PCB.
[0040] In an embodiment, the selection of water can happen automatically where the sensor (TDS sensor, conductivity sensor) will sense the TDS and automatically select the path of filtration.
[0041] In an embodiment, the Invention provides a convertible water purifier that can be installed for the purification of water with TDS ranging from 0 to 2000 or 3000. The present water purifier automatically selects the pathway as per the TDS of the incoming water and decides if the incoming water needs any RO treatment or not. This is useful in various applications, example, when the user has multiple and mixed water source/s i.e. River water, Tank water etc. The water purifier thus determines the TDS of the incoming water and decides the purification path.
[0042] In an embodiment, the water purifier works automatically.
[0043] In another embodiment, the water purifier works as per the route pre-decided by the user.
[0044] In an embodiment, if TDS of the water is less than 150ppm, in case of the automatic or intelligent selection, the water purifier with the help of TDS probe sense the TDS and selects the UV path. The TDS will be sensed by the TDS probe and triggers the solenoid valve based on the PCB input. The UV lamp will get triggered and water gets disinfected. In this the output TDS will remain the same as the input TDS.
[0045] In another embodiment, if TDS of the water is more than 150ppm, the TDS sensor will sense the TDS and automatically prefers the RO path. The PCB will trigger the RO path, in which the TDS will be reduced to 95-98% . The water gets stored in the tank for further use.
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[0046] In an embodiment, the convertible water purifier with automatic switching mechanism for obtaining purified water or a purified water with desirable parameters by a user, comprises following components:
a) atleast a sediment filter and a carbon filter for receiving the inlet feed water through solenoid valve 1;
b) atleast a TDS sensor/ TDS probe for determining the feed/inlet water TDS of the filtered water received through sediment filter and a carbon filter and atleast a processor for receiving the inputs from the sensor and determining the purification path of the feed water based on the same, where said determination of the path is automatic or pre-set or selected by the user;
wherein the TDS probe, in case TDS of the feed water is less than 150ppm, directs the water, through pump, to pass through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment and further for being stored in a storage tank for use;
c) atleast an RO unit connected to a Microbial reduction technology unit;
wherein the TDS probe, if TDS of the feed water is more than 150ppm, directs the water to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the treated water from RO unit undergoes treatment in said Microbial reduction or secondary disinfection technology and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use.
[0047] In an embodiment, the one of the microbial reduction technology unit comprises silver based technology, any disinfection technology or membrane based technology.
[0048] In an embodiment, the water purifier adjusts purification mode as per the types of impurities present in the inlet water for providing purified water or purified water with desirable parameters by a user.
[0049] In an embodiment, the switching is performed automatically or as per user preference.
[0050] In an embodiment, the selection of mode is based on parameters comprising TDS, inlet water quality, customer/user selection, sensor selection.
[0051] In an embodiment, the intelligent or automatic selection of mode is based on the TDS value of the water.
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[0052] In an embodiment, the selection of mode is based on the customer’s selection based on the requirement.
[0053] In an embodiment, the water is only UV treated if the TDS falls between 0-150ppm.
[0054] In an embodiment, the water will be treated under Reverse Osmosis and Silver charged membrane technology or any other microbial reduction technology if the TDS of the water is 150ppm or above.
[0055] In another aspect of the Invention, there is provided a method of operation of the convertible water purifier with automatic switching mechanism for obtaining purified water or a purified water with desirable parameters by a user, comprising the steps of:
a) receiving the inlet feed water by atleast a sediment filter and a carbon filter, through solenoid valve 1, for filtration;
b) measuring the TDS of the water obtained in step (a) by the TDS sensor/ TDS probe for determining the purification path of the feed water where the determination of the purification path is automatic or pre-set by the user;
wherein the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment and further for being stored in a storage tank for useor inline dispensing , if the TDS of the feed water is less than 150ppm;
or the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the filtered water from RO unit undergoes treatment in microbial reduction technology unit if the TDS of the feed water is more than 150ppm and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use.
The Invention is further described with the help of non-limiting examples:
Example 1:
Water purifier with automatic or intelligent selection:
If the TDS of the water is 125ppm, the water purifier with the help of TDS probe sense/measures the TDS and selects the UV path. The TDS will be sensed by the TDS probe and trigger the solenoid valve based on the PCB input. The UV lamp will get triggered and water get disinfected. In this the output TDS will remain the same as the input TDS.
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Example 2:
If the TDS of the water source is 550, the TDS sensor will sense the TDS and automatically prefers the RO path. The PCB will trigger the RO path, in which the TDS will be reduced to 95-98% . The water gets stored in the tank for further use.
Example 3:
The convertible water purifier can be pre-set for the TDS more than 150ppm by the user. In this mode, the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the treated water from RO unit undergoes treatment in said microbial reduction technology unit and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use.
Example 4:
The convertible water purifier can be pre-set for the TDS less than 150ppm by the user. In this mode, the water passes through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment and further may be stored / collected as needed. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A convertible water purifier with automatic switching mechanism for obtaining purified water or a purified water with desirable parameters by a user, comprising:
a) atleast a sediment filter and a carbon filter for receiving the inlet feed water through solenoid valve 1;
b) atleast a TDS sensor/ TDS probe for determining the feed/inlet water TDS of the filtered water received through sediment filter and a carbon filter and atleast a processor for receiving the inputs from the sensor and determining the purification path of the feed water based on the same, where said determination of the path is automatic or pre-set by the user;
wherein the TDS probe, in case TDS of the feed water is less than 150ppm, directs the water, through pump, to pass through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment and further for being stored in a storage tank for use;
c) atleast an RO unit connected to a Microbial reduction technology unit;
wherein the TDS probe, if TDS of the feed water is more than 150ppm, directs the water to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the treated water from RO unit undergoes treatment in said microbial reduction technology unit and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use.
2. The water purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microbial reduction technology unit comprises silver based technology or disinfection technology or membrane technology.
3. The water purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water purifier adjusts purification mode as per the types of impurities present in the inlet water for providing purified water or purified water with desirable parameters by a user.
4. The water purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching is performed automatically or as per user preference.
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5. The water purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection of mode is based on parameters comprising TDS, inlet water quality, customer/user selection, sensor selection.
6. A method of operation of the convertible water purifier with automatic switching mechanism for obtaining purified water or a purified water with desirable parameters by a user, comprising the steps of:
c) receiving the inlet feed water by atleast a sediment filter and a carbon filter, through solenoid valve 1, for filtration;
d) measuring the TDS of the water obtained in step (a) by the TDS sensor/ TDS probe for determining the purification path of the feed water where the determination of the purification path is automatic or pre-set by the user;
wherein the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 3 and solenoid valve 6 to the UV LED/ UV lamp for UV treatment and further for being stored in a storage tank for use, if the TDS of the feed water is less than 150ppm;
or the water is directed to pass through solenoid valve 2 to the RO unit where the reject water passes to drain line through a solenoid valve 7 while the filtered water from RO unit undergoes treatment in microbial reduction technology unit if the TDS of the feed water is more than 150ppm and the treated water passes through solenoid valve 4 to the storage tank for use.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein microbial reduction technology unit comprises silver based technology, disinfection technology or membrane based technology.