The present invention relates to an ultraviolet water filter control device, and more particularly a control device which uses a mechanical water pressure switch assembly to automatically control activation or shutting-off of a sterilization procedure of an ultraviolet tube within a water filter.

Description of the Prior Art

Regardless of how modern the city is, in which people live, delivery of water to each user must pass through a complex water supply system, including small reservoirs, pressure stations and transfer pipelines, and the water may become polluted during the operation process of the water supply system due to factors including old pipelines, leakage, public works construction, fouling of the reservoirs, and so on, resulting in the water drawn by users containing impurities and Escherichia coli (E. coli), thus, the water must be first filtered and boiled before drinking, otherwise symptoms of upset stomach may result.

In order to solve the problems of drinking water, various types of functionally different water filters have appeared on the market for the user to choose from, such as: water filters which use multilayer filter elements to filter out impurities from the water, RO (reverse osmosis) water filters, UV (ultraviolet) tube sterilization water filters, and so on. Because UV tube sterilization water filters are provided with functionality to both filter impurities and sterilize using ultraviolet rays, such water filters are an excellent choice for users worried about relatively large numbers of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria being present in the water.

The principle of the UV ultraviolet tube sterilization water filter lies in a ultraviolet tube being disposed within a water filter, and when the user opens a water valve (faucet) to get water, then a sensor senses the flow of water and activates the ultraviolet tube, thereby causing the ultraviolet tube to emit ultraviolet rays to effect sterilization of the water. When the user closes the water valve, then the ultraviolet tube is shut off, thereby preventing wastage of electrical energy, and avoiding reducing the serviceable life of the ultraviolet tube from being activated for extended periods of time. In addition, when the user closes the water valve, because the water that has just entered the water filter has not yet obtained sufficient ultraviolet ray sterilization, if the UV tube is immediately shut off, the bacteria within the water will quickly multiply. When water is drawn the next time, then the water obtained will still contain large numbers of bacteria, in particular, the condition of the water drawn the next day will be especially serious. Hence, the UV ultraviolet tube sterilization water filter normally has a delay circuit disposed on a control circuit to delay shut- off time of the ultraviolet tube. For example: international patent application WO0071227 (USER-ACTIVATED ULTRA-VIOLET WATER TREATMENT UNIT) is particularly designed to delay shut-off time of the ultraviolet tube.

Although such methods using a delay circuit to delay shut-off time of the ultraviolet tube are able to use devices including a condenser discharge, timer, and the like, in the design of the control circuit to achieve delay, however, malfunctions can still occur, primarily because the simple digital circuit is extremely easily affected by interference from static electricity or magnetic fields causing errors in operation. Moreover, a water flow detector (water flow switch) must be disposed at a position of the water inlet or water outlet. However, a general water flow detector is unable to adjust to sensitivity of water pressure, and is thus frequently unable to sense operation. When the user opens or closes the water valve, the water flow detector is used to provide an open or close signal to signal the control circuit and implement related activation and delay shutting- off control. In other words, in a situation when the water flow detector is damaged, there are bad contacts, or the like, then normal shutting-off or shutting- off of the ultraviolet tube is affected, and the overwhelming majority of additional related electronic delay elements, including condenser discharges, timers, and the like, are unable to resist electromagnetic interference, thus, malfunction of the entire delay circuit still occurs.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide a control device which uses a mechanical water pressure switch assembly to automatically control activation or shutting-off of a sterilization procedure of an ultraviolet tube within a water filter. Because the water pressure switch is mechanically operated, the present invention provides the advantages of more certain operation and longer serviceable life.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, the control device of the present invention is used on a water filter internally provided with an ultraviolet tube, and a water intake passage is disposed within a water intake housing at a lower portion of the water filter. The water intake passage is provided with a communication channel, such as a by-pass port or a single channel, to connect with a mechanical water pressure switch assembly. When water flows through the water intake passage and enters the water filter, then the water pressure switch assembly is simultaneously activated by the water pressure in the communication channel to enable the ultraviolet tube within the water filter to emit ultraviolet rays and thereby effect sterilization of the water. When the inflow of water stops, then the water pressure diminishes and the water pressure switch assembly delays shutting-off of the ultraviolet tube to enable the water remaining in the water filter to obtain sufficient sterilization.

The water pressure switch assembly further comprises a one-way valve connected to the communication channel. A water intake chamber is positioned between a pressure piston and the one-way valve. A backflow hole also connects the water intake chamber with the communication channel, and an elastic press switch is functionally connected to the pressure piston.

When water flows through the water intake passage and enters the water filter, then a portion of the water enters the water pressure switch assembly through the communication channel, and enters the water intake chamber through the one-way valve. Because the one-way valve only allows unidirectional flow of water, as the amount of water intake increases, the water pressure within the water intake chamber rises along with it. Accordingly, the rising water pressure within the water intake chamber causes the pressure piston to displace, thereby pressing the elastic press switch and effecting a circuit connection, which activates the ultraviolet tube. The water that has entered the water filter is thus irradiated with UV rays from the ultraviolet tube to effect sterilization of the water. During the process of activating the ultraviolet tube as described above, water continues to enter the water filter, thereby enabling the amount of water within the water intake chamber to constantly increase. After a while, the volume of water has increased to an extent wherein the water intake chamber is completely filled with water.

The diameter of the aforementioned backflow hole is smaller than that of the communication channel, which apart from providing the backflow hole with functionality to enable the water within the water intake chamber to back flow to the communication channel during the intake of water, moreover, when the intake of water into the water filter stops, then the elastic restoring force of the aforesaid elastic press switch pressed by the pressure piston causes the elastic press switch to reverse abut against the pressure piston. However, the unidirectional blocking effect of water flow by the one-way valve causes the water within the water intake chamber to only be able to pass through the backflow hole having small aperture, thereby causing a slow backflow (pressure release) to the communication channel. Hence, although the elastic press switch abuts against the pressure piston, it cannot be immediately restored to the state before being pressed and effect circuit disconnection.

Accordingly, when the intake of water into the water filter stops, when the elastic press switch reverse abuts against the pressure piston, the slow backflow through the backflow hole is used to enable restoring the elastic press switch to its state before being pressed only after a period of time and effect circuit disconnection, thereby achieving functionality to delay shutting-off of the ultraviolet tube.

During implementation, an adjusting knob can be disposed between the aforementioned water intake chamber and the backflow hole to control flow rate through the backflow hole, thereby prolonging or shortening water back-flow velocity and time the water remains within the water intake chamber, and further controlling the time the elastic press switch effects circuit disconnection. In addition, the aforementioned water pressure switch assembly can control activation or shutting-off of the ultraviolet tube using a control circuit, which apart from being electrically connected to the ultraviolet tube, moreover, during implementation, the control circuit can further control activation or shutting-off of an ozone generator and a magnetic wave vibrator.

The ozone generator is connected to the water intake passage via a one-way air valve. When water flows through the water intake passage and enters the water filter, then the water velocity causes a negative pressure at the ozone generator (Bernoulli's principle), thereby enabling ozone (O3) produced by the ozone generator to be output into the water intake passage through the one-way air valve. Accordingly, when the water flows through the water intake passage and enters the water filter, then the water is mixed with ozone, thereby increasing sterilization effectiveness of the water.

The aforementioned magnetic wave vibrator is disposed within the water filter, and uses the principle of magnetic wave vibration to effect vibration of the water within the water filter to enable accelerated reduction and stabilization of the ozone (O3) molecules mixed within the water filter to form oxygen molecules (O2).

In addition, the aforementioned control circuit can be provided with a microprocessor control unit (MCU) and an integrated circuit (IC) according to requirements, thereby enabling prolonging shutting-off time of the ultraviolet tube at appropriate times, or activating the ultraviolet tube to implement the sterilization procedure. For example, when the water pressure switch assembly effects circuit disconnection, then the control circuit can control shutting-off of the ultraviolet tube after several seconds or minutes to prolong sterilization time and protect the ultraviolet tube. Or, after the ultraviolet tube has been shut off for several hours, the control circuit can control reactivation of the ultraviolet tube, thereby preventing bacteria from multiplying in the residual water when the water filter has been unused for an extended period of time.

Compared to the prior art, the control device of the present invention uses the mechanical water pressure switch assembly to automatically control activation or shutting-off of a sterilization procedure of the ultraviolet tube within the water filter, and because the water pressure switch is mechanically operated, the present invention is provided with the advantages of more certain operation and longer serviceable life.

To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevation view of an ultraviolet water filter of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a structural schematic view of the ultraviolet water filter of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a positional schematic view of a control device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a structural schematic view of a water pressure switch assembly of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the water pressure switch assembly depicting the pressure release operation according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the water pressure switch assembly depicting adjustment of flow rate according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block schematic view of an embodiment of the control device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which show a control device of the present invention used on a water filter 2 internally provided with an ultraviolet tube 1 , wherein the water filter 2 is internally provided with a holding space 3, an upper portion of the water filer filter 2 is a water outlet housing 4, and a filter element 5 is disposed between the holding space 3 and the water outlet housing 4. A lower portion of the water filter 2 is a water intake housing 6, and the water intake housing 6 is connected to a power source 7 which supplies power required by the ultraviolet tube 1 to operate. After water flows through the water intake housing 6 and enters the holding space 3, then the water is sterilized by means of the ultraviolet tube 1 , whereupon the filter element 5 filters out impurities, after which the water flows out the water outlet housing 4.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which show the control device of the present invention disposed within the water intake housing 6 comprising a water intake passage 10 positioned within the water intake housing 6, and the water intake passage 10 is provided with a water inlet 11 , a water outlet 12 and a pressure communication channel 13 positioned between the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12; the communication channel 13 is connected to a mechanical water pressure switch assembly 20. When water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, then the water pressure switch assembly 20 is simultaneously actuated, thereby activating and enabling the ultraviolet tube 1 within the water filter 2 to emit ultraviolet rays and effect sterilization of the water. When the intake of water stops then the water pressure switch assembly 20 is able to delay shutting-off time of the ultraviolet tube 1 , thereby enabling the water remaining within the water filter 2 to obtain sufficient sterilization.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the aforementioned water pressure switch assembly 20 further comprises a one-way valve 21 connected to the communication channel 13, a pressure piston 22 connected to the one-way valve 21 , a water intake chamber 23 positioned between the pressure piston 22 and the one-way valve 21 , a backflow hole 24 connecting the water intake chamber 23 with the communication channel 13 and an elastic press switch 25 positioned operatively to and in the moving path of the pressure piston 22.

When water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, then a portion of the water enters the water pressure switch assembly 20 through the pressure communication channel 13, and passes through the one- way valve 21 to enter the water intake chamber 23. Because the one-way valve 21 only allows unidirectional flow of water, as the amount of water intake increases, the water pressure within the water intake chamber 23 rises along with it. Accordingly, the rising water pressure within the water intake chamber 23 causes the pressure piston 22 to displace, thereby pressing the elastic press switch 25 and effecting a circuit connection, which further activates the aforementioned ultraviolet tube 1. Thus, the water that has entered the water filter 2 is irradiated with UV rays from the ultraviolet tube 1 to effect sterilization of the water.

Referring to FIG. 5, during the process of activating the ultraviolet tube 1 as described above, water continues to enter the water filter 2, thereby causing the amount of water within the water intake chamber 23 to constantly increase.

The diameter of the aforementioned backflow hole 24 is smaller than that of the communication channel 13. When water stops entering the water filter 2, then the elastic restoring force of the aforementioned elastic press switch 25 pressed by the pressure piston 22 causes the elastic press switch 25 to reverse abut against the pressure piston 22. However, the unidirectional blocking effect of water flow by the one-way valve 21 causes the water within the water intake chamber 23 to only be able to pass through the backflow hole 24 of small aperture, thereby causing a slow backflow to the communication channel 13 and a gradual release of pressure. Hence, although the elastic press switch 25 abuts against the pressure piston 22, it cannot be immediately restored to the state before being pressed and effect circuit disconnection.

Accordingly, when the intake of water into the water filter 2 stops and the elastic press switch 25 reverse abuts against the pressure piston 22, slow backflow and pressure release functionality of the backflow hole 24 is used to enable the elastic press switch 25 to be restored to its state before being pressed only after a period of time when the water pressure within the water intake chamber 23 is less than the elastic restoring force of the elastic press switch 25. Thereby functionality to delay shutting-off of the ultraviolet tube 1 is achieved.

Referring to FIG. 6, during implementation, an adjusting knob 26 can be disposed between the aforementioned water intake chamber 23 and the backflow hole 24 to control flow rate through the backflow hole 24, thereby prolonging or shortening water backflow velocity and time the water remains within the water intake chamber 23, and further controlling the time the elastic press switch 25 effects circuit disconnection. For example, position of the adjusting knob 26 in FIG. 6 has effected a relatively larger opening compared to FIG. 5, thereby enabling the backflow hole 24 to allow a greater quantity of water to backflow to the communication channel 13, and thus increasing the speed of backflow of the water within the water intake chamber 23 to the communication channel 13 and shortening the time the press switch 25 effects a circuit disconnection, which further reduces the delay shut-off time of the ultraviolet tube 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, during implementing, the filter control device according to the present invention can further comprise a control circuit 30, which enables the aforementioned elastic press switch 25 to control activation or shut- off of the ultraviolet tube 1 through the control circuit 30. Apart from being electrically connected to the ultraviolet tube 1 , the aforementioned control circuit 30 can further control activation or shut-off of an ozone generator 40 and a magnetic wave vibrator 50 during implementation of the present invention.

The ozone generator 40 is connected to the water intake passage 10 via a oneway air valve 41. When water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, the aforementioned elastic press switch 25 simultaneously activates the ultraviolet tube 1 and the ozone generator 40 by means of the control circuit 30, thus causing the ozone generator 40 to produce ozone. At this time, the water velocity of the water passing through the water intake passage 10 causes a negative pressure at the one-way air valve 41 (Bernoulli's principle) connected to the ozone generator 40, thereby enabling ozone (O3) produced by the ozone generator 40 to be output into the water intake passage 10 through the one-way air valve 41. Accordingly, when the water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, then the water is mixed with ozone, thereby increasing sterilization effectiveness of the water.

The aforementioned magnetic wave vibrator 50 is disposed within the water filter 2, and the principle of the magnetic wave vibrator 50 uses magnetic waves to vibrate the water within the water filter 2 and produce a vibration and agitation effect. Hence, the control circuit 30 also simultaneously activates the magnetic wave vibrator 50 to enable acceleration reducing and stabilizing the ozone (O ₃ ) molecules mixed within the water filter 2 to form oxygen molecules (O2), which apart from strengthening the sterilization effect of the entire water filter 2, also increases water quality safety.

In addition, the aforementioned control circuit 30 can be provided with a microprocessor control unit (MCU) and an integrated circuit (IC) (not shown in the drawings) according to requirements, thereby enabling prolonging shutting-off time of the ultraviolet tube 1 at appropriate times, or activating the ultraviolet tube 1 to implement the sterilization procedure. For example, when the water pressure switch assembly 20 effects circuit disconnection, then the control circuit 30 can control shutting-off of the ultraviolet tube 1 after several seconds or several minutes, thereby prolonging sterilization time and protecting the ultraviolet tube 1 , enabling serviceable life of the ultraviolet tube 1 to be less affected from frequent activation and shutting-off. Or, after the ultraviolet tube 1 has been shut off for several hours, then the control circuit 30 can control reactivation of the ultraviolet tube 1 , thereby preventing bacteria from multiplying in the residual water when the water filter 2 has been unused for an extended period of time, in particular, preventing large numbers of bacteria from being present in the water first drawn in the morning after being unused for a long time during the night.

It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.