OF THE SAME

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a water treatment system and method for predicting remaining filter life of the same. More particularly, the invention relates to how life of filter in a water treatment system can be predicted and communicated to a user.

Background of the invention

Water treatment systems comprise of one of more of different type of filters and usually comprise a membrane filter. Such membrane filters have a limited life and need to be changed after their life is over. Their life is dependent on a variety of factors such as input water quality, usage of the filter over a period of time, volume of water dispensed through the water treatment device.

Mostly, the life of membrane filters is predicted basis an assumption of water dispensed through the water treatment device, or device running hours, however these are not basis for an accurate assumption as they do not take into account other factors such as input water quality which may change over a period of time, performance and life of other filters, which may affect the output of treated water.

JP 2011255355 (PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKD CO LTD), discloses an electrolytic water generator for accurately reporting a deterioration state of a reverse osmosis membrane filter according to the cause of the deterioration. The document comprises an electrolytic cell and predicts the membrane filter’s state of deterioration either by the conductivity parameter variable obtained from the electrolytic cell or conductivity parameter in addition with flow sensor data (Para [0054] of D4). In both the cases it essentially requires the conductivity value for predicting membrane filter’s state of deterioration. Therefore, the system of this document is not useful for predicting membrane filter life in a simple water treatment device without an electrolytic cell.

Therefore, there is a need for predicting membrane filter life in a basic water treatment device through a more accurate means. The filter life can be predicted basis an average volume of water at which the filter is known to require replacement. That is ‘X’ volumes of water dispensed by the water treatment device/ average volume of water at which the filter is known to require replacement. However, this is not the most accurate way of predicting filter life and neither is dynamic to take into account the realtime changes in the quality of water. And also, there is a likelihood of change in input quality of water over a period of time, which is not taken into account in these systems.

Therefore, there is a need to predict filter life through a more accurate means and which is more dynamic to take into account the realtime changes in the quality of water and change in input quality of water over a period of time.

Summary of the invention

First aspect of the present invention provides a system for predicting membrane filter life, the system comprising:

A. a water treatment device comprising,

i. an inlet;

ii. an electromechanical device to drive water flow at different pressure values P _n ;

iii. a membrane filter;

iv. an outlet for dispensing treated water; and

v. a current detector to detect current C _n consumed by the electromechanical device at a given time;

B. a control module configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

Second aspect of the present invention provides a method of predicting membrane filter life, the method comprising steps of: providing the system according to the first aspect; ii. storing values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

iii. storing a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and iv. reporting end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being implemented in various ways.

The terms“including”,“comprising”,“containing” or“having” and variations thereof as used herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

The description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated.

Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or the conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about".

Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for predicting filter life, the system comprising a water treatment device and a control module, wherein, the control module is configured to: store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance; store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

Throughout the description, it shall be understood that for the purposes of the present invention, the term ‘communication’ shall mean to include both direct or indirect communication, wired or wireless communication, electrical or non-electric communication, though waves, radiations and all kinds of communication used as known in the art.

This system and method help in most accurate way of predicted filter life as opposed to the existing ways where the filter life is based on the collated average data of performance of a filter based on lab results. Where, the filter life can be predicted basis an average volume of water at which the filter is known to require replacement. That is ‘X’ volumes of water dispensed by the water treatment device/ average volume of water at which the filter is known to require replacement. However, this is not the most accurate way of predicting filter life and neither is dynamic to take into account the realtime changes in the quality of water. And also, there is a likelihood of change in input quality of water over a period of time, which is not taken into account in these systems.

The phrase ‘direct function of the membrane filter performance’ throughout the specification means as the value which is a direct function increases, it indicates good performance of membrane and as the value decreases, indicates poor membrane filter performance.

The phrase ‘inverse function of the membrane filter performance’ throughout the specification means as the value which is an inverse function increases, it indicates poor performance of membrane and as the value decreases, indicates good membrane filter performance.

The present invention provides a system for predicting filter life, the system comprising:

A. a water treatment device comprising,

i. an inlet;

ii. an electromechanical device to drive water flow at different pressure values P _n ; iii. a membrane filter;

iv. an outlet for dispensing treated water; and

v. a current detector to detect current C _n consumed by the electromechanical device at a given time;

B. a control module configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

It is preferred that the water treatment device is preferably a water purifying device having one or more filters and a membrane filter preferably positioned downstream of a prefilter.

It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the control module is a part of the water treatment device or is a remotely located server.

It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the control module is a remotely located server, the control module comprises a communication module.

It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the system further comprises a display device and preferably the display device is a part of the water treatment device, or the control module or is an independent portable device.

It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the water treatment device further comprises a flow sensor.

It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the control module is further configured to store the data generated by the flow sensor as FR _n values, wherein FR _n is a direct function.

It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the control module is further configured to store a predetermined value of FR _n as FR _min , wherein FR _min is a value of FR _n , a value less than FR _min indicates end of membrane filter life. It is preferred that in the system of the present invention, the control module is further configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max ! or configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min.

Water Treatment device

The water treatment device of the present invention comprises:

i. an inlet;

ii. an electromechanical device to drive water flow at different pressure values P _n ; iii. a membrane filter;

iv. an outlet for dispensing treated water; and

v. a current detector to detect current C _n consumed by the electromechanical device at a given time;

It is preferred that the water treatment device of the present invention is a water purifying device, wherein an inlet is provided for entry of raw/untreated water and a membrane filter is provided downstream of the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet.

Electromechanical device

The water treatment device of the present invention comprises an electromechanical device to drive water flow into the membrane filter. It is preferable that the device generates a pressure to drive water through the membrane filter.

It is preferable that the electromechanical device is a pump and preferably a displacement type and more preferably a positive displacement type of pump.

Prefilter:

It is preferred that the water treatment devices also comprises a prefilter, which is the first filter or stage of water purification and more preferred that the prefilter is intended to remove particulate matter from the water. It is more preferred that the prefilter is a sediment filter.

If the prefilter is not the first stage of water purification then, it at least precedes main stages of filtration in the water purification process. Membrane filter:

The water treatment device of the present invention comprises a membrane filter. It is preferable that the membrane filter purifies water by the virtue of physical property of its membrane. It is most preferable that the membrane filter is a‘reverse osmosis’ (RO) membrane filter, though it may be any other such as ultrafiltration membrane filter or a microfiltration membrane filter.

One of the problems of predicting life of a RO membrane is that as there are many filters in series in a water treatment device and even if one of them reaches end of life, the treated water flow rate will fall. Therefore, with readings of flow rate from a flow sensor it is difficult to predict the remaining life of the membrane filter.

It is preferable that the membrane filter is positioned downstream of the electromechanical device in order to receive water to be purified at a pressure as it provides physical resistance to the flow of water.

Current detector: The water treatment device of the present invention comprises a current detector to detect current C _n consumed by the electromechanical device at a given time.

Current detector of the present invention could be a current sensing unit such as Integrated Circuit or a resistor and the likes.

Flow Sensor: The device of the present invention preferably comprises a flow sensor.

Flow sensor measures the water flow. It is preferred that the Flow sensor is placed in the flow path of the treated water from the membrane filter which permits measurement of water being dispensed out of the system. The FS preferably gives input pulses to either the control module and more preferably when the control module is a part of the water treatment device or a control circuit within the water treatment device. The control module or the control circuit is able to measure flow rate based on input from flow sensor and calculates the quantity of water passing through it. Control Circuit:

The water treatment device of the present invention preferably comprises a control circuit, which could be a part of the control module, when control module is a part of the water treatment device or could be an independent controlling unit of the water treatment device.

When the control circuit is an independent controlling unit of the water treatment device, it preferably comprises a micro-computer unit (MCU) and a communication module adapted to communicate with the control module and send information with respect to flow sensor data etc.. It is preferred that the micro-computer unit (MCU) of the control circuit unit and is responsible for the logical control of the water treatment device. The MCU forms the seat of control circuit intelligence.

The control circuit of the water treatment device is capable of being configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

It is preferred that the control circuit is capable of being configured to store the data generated by the flow sensor as FR _n values, wherein FR _n is a direct function of the membrane filter performance.

It is further preferred that the control circuit is capable of being configured to store a predetermined value of FR _n as FR _min , wherein FR _min is a value of FR _n , a value less than FR _min indicates end of membrane filter life.

It is also preferred that the control circuit is capable of being i. configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max ; or ii. configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FRmin. This means that the end of membrane filter life could be reported basis Cn > C _max or could be reported when both the conditions are satisfied when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min , when the water treatment device comprises a flow sensor. A water treatment device comprising a flow sensor may still be configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max , as satisfying of both the conditions are Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min is not mandatory but only preferred to ensure error free end of life reporting.

The control circuit could be a part of the water treatment device or could be a part of a remotely located server and when the control circuit is a part of remotely located server, the control circuit preferably comprises a communication circuit. The control circuit may further be configured to send alerts to change the membrane filter. Sending of alerts may be via the display device or any other medium.

The control circuit may preferably be configured to send alerts in advance of the end of filter life, for example at 80% of C _max and/or 80% of F _min , or any such values of C _max and/or of F _min may be picked which gives sufficient time to change the filter before its life is over. Communication module

It is preferred that the water treatment device of the present invention comprises a communication module, which is a part of control module or control circuit when present in the water treatment device or is an independent unit.

The communication module of the present invention is preferable a part of the control circuit or the communication module, however it is capable of functioning as an independent unit connected to the control circuit or the control module when present in the device. The communication module is responsible for data communication between the device and the control module when the control module is not a part of the device. The communication module could also be configured to communicate with any other external device such as portable devices such as a phone, laptop, a display device and the likes.

The communication module is preferably electrically or electronically connected to the control circuit of the device. When the control module is outside the device, the communication module preferably establishes wireless connection with the control module. The communication module is also capable of establishing a connection with an electronic or electrical communication device when configured in a suitable manner. It is highly preferred that the communication module is preferably configured to establish a wireless connection with a communication device such as a phone or a computer.

The communication module most preferably comprises at least one integrated circuit for establishing the connection between the device and the control module or any other external device as the case may be. It is highly preferred to use a GSM/CDMA/WCDMA/LTE and the like technology based wireless network to communicate data by the communication module.

Control Module

A control module of the present invention is configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and

iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

It is preferred that the control module is configured to store the data generated by the flow sensor as FR _n values, wherein FR _n is a direct function of the membrane filter performance.

It is further preferred that the control module is configured to store a predetermined value of FR _n as FRmin, wherein FR _min is a value of FR _n , a value less than FR _min indicates end of membrane filter life. It is also preferred that the control module is i. configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max ; or

ii. configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min.

This means that the end of membrane filter life could be reported basis Cn > C _max or could be reported when both the conditions are satisfied when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min , when the water treatment device comprises a flow sensor. A water treatment device comprising a flow sensor may still be configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max , as satisfying of both the conditions are Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min is not mandatory but only preferred to ensure error free end of life reporting. The control module could be a part of the water treatment device or could be a part of a remotely located server and when the control module is a part of remotely located server, the control module preferably comprises a communication module.

The control module may further be configured to send alerts to change the membrane filter. Sending of alerts may be via the display device or any other medium. The control module may preferably be configured to send alerts in advance of the end of filter life, for example at 80% of C _max and/or 80% of F _min , or any such values of C _max and/or of F _min may be picked which gives sufficient time to change the filter before its life is over.

Server

It is preferable that the water treatment device of the present invention is in communication with a server, preferably a remotely located server and preferably through a wireless medium such as internet.

The server may also comprise the control module of the present invention.

A server according to the present invention may be a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices. It is also preferable that server communicates with other external device such as portable devices such as a phone, laptop, a display device and the likes.

The server of the present invention may be accessed over a network such as a WAN or LAN or GPRS or the likes.

The term‘remotely located’ for the purposes of the present invention in the context of server means connected through wireless means. A server of the present invention is capable of being configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and

iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max .

It is preferred that the server is capable of being configured to store the data generated by the flow sensor as FR _n values, wherein FR _n is a direct function of the membrane filter performance. It is further preferred that the server is capable of being configured to store a predetermined value of FR _n as FR _min , wherein FR _min is a value of FR _n , a value less than FR _min indicates end of membrane filter life.

It is also preferred that the server is capable of being i. configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max ; or

ii. configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min.

This means that the end of membrane filter life could be reported basis Cn > C _max or could be reported when both the conditions are satisfied when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min , when the water treatment device comprises a flow sensor. A water treatment device comprising a flow sensor may still be configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max , as satisfying of both the conditions are Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min is not mandatory but only preferred to ensure error free end of life reporting.

The server could be a part of the water treatment device or could be a part of a remotely located server and when the server is a part of remotely located server, the server preferably comprises a communication module. The server may further be configured to send alerts to change the membrane filter. Sending of alerts may be via the display device or any other medium. The server may preferably be configured to send alerts in advance of the end of filter life, for example at 80% of C _max and/or 80% of F _m in, or any such values of C _max and/or of F _m in may be picked which gives sufficient time to change the filter before its life is over.

Display device The predicted life of the filter according to the system and method of the present invention may be displayed on a display device which is a part of water treatment device or control module or server or is an is an independent portable device.

The display device is preferably a user interface of the water treatment device.

It is most preferable that the display device has a screen, preferably an LED screen to display the filter life.

The display device is capable of displaying other information with respect to the water purifier such as connectivity, quality of water dispensed, status of other filters and such similar information, data which is useful for the user or consumer.

It is possible that there are more than one display devices, such as one on the water treatment device, other on the server and one on an independent device, anyone or combinations thereof.

The display of the prediction of filter life could be graphical, numerical, statistical, such as display of colours for showing life of filter, timeline, maps, ladders, scales, graphs, percentages, decimal, fraction, pyramid, pie, circle, chart, bar graph, and the likes. The long, medium and end of life are preferably displayed on the display device, it may be in the form of colors indicating, red as end of life, amber as medium filter life and green as long filter life. The life status of the filter could also be displayed by band system, a circle and various other, graphical, statistical, percentage or other means of depicting the information. The display device of the present invention may also be used to show alerts for changing filter. A portable device, as the name suggests is a device which is portable and has a communication module capable of communicating with the apparatus via the communication module of the apparatus.

The portable device preferably comprises a hardware and a software. The portable device comprises a communication module capable of communicating with the communication module of the apparatus when present and with the control module and/or server.

The portable device could be a laptop computer, a tablet, a phone, a computer or a hand- held device. It is highly preferred that the portable device comprises a mobile phone. It is highly preferred that the portable device communicates through a conventional means such as electric, electronic or wired or through wireless means with the water treatment device and/or communication module and/or server. It is highly preferable that the portable device communicates through wireless means with the water treatment device. It is also possible that the portable device communicates with the apparatus or server through an intermediate device, cloud, system, software etc. or the likes.

When the portable device is a phone, the display or the user interface of the information of the water treatment system is preferably through an APP.

Method The present invention provides a method of method of predicting filter life, the method comprising steps of: i. providing the system according to the first aspect;

ii. storing values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

iii. storing a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and

iv. reporting end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max . It is preferred that the method further comprises reporting end of membrane filter life through the display device.

It is preferred that according to the method of the present invention, the control module is further configured to store the data generated by the flow sensor as FR _n values, wherein FR _n is a direct function of the water treatment system performance.

It is preferred that according to the method of the present invention, control module is further configured to store a predetermined value of FR _n as FR _min , wherein FR _min is a value of FR _n , a value less than FR _min indicates end of membrane filter life.

It is preferred that according to the method of the present invention, the control module is further configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max , or configured to report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min.

It is preferable that the method further comprises indicating status of the membrane filter life, wherein the control module is configured to:

B. store a C _n value as Co which is at least 5% less than C _max ;

C. store a FR _n value as FRo which is at least 5% more than FR _min !

D. indicate long filter life when C _n < Co or FR _n > FRo;

E. indicate medium filter life when C _max >Cn > Co or FR _min < FR _n < FRo; and

F. indicating end of life when (Cn > C _max ) or (Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min ).

The method may further comprise of sending alerts to change the filter. Sending of alerts may be via the display device or any other medium.

The method further comprises displaying the filter life status on the display device. The long, medium and end of life are preferably displayed on the display device, it may be in the form of colours indicating, red as end of life, amber as medium filter life and green as long filter life. The life status of the filter could also be displayed by band system, a circle and various other, graphical, statistical, percentage or other means of depicting the information.

The alerts may be triggered in advance of the end of filter life, for example at 80% of C _max and/or 80% of F _m in, or any such values of C _max and/or of F _m in may be picked which gives sufficient time to change the filter before its life is over.

Use

The present invention provides a system comprising:

A. a water treatment device comprising,

i. an inlet;

ii. an electromechanical device to drive water flow at different pressure values P _n ;

iii. a membrane filter;

iv. an outlet for dispensing treated water; and

v. a current detector to detect current C _n consumed by the electromechanical device at a given time;

B. a control module configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max . for use in predicting filter life of the water treatment device.

The present invention provides a system comprising:

A. a water treatment device comprising,

i. an inlet;

ii. an electromechanical device to drive water flow at different pressure values P _n ;

iii. a membrane filter;

iv. an outlet for dispensing treated water; and v. a current detector to detect current C _n consumed by the electromechanical device at a given time;

B. a control module configured to:

i. store values of C _n , wherein C _n is an inverse function of the membrane filter performance.

ii. store a preset value of C _n , as C _max , wherein C _max is a value of C _n ; a value more than C _max indicates end of membrane filter life; and iii. report end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max . for use in reporting filter life of the water treatment device, and preferably through a display device.

Use of the system of the present invention to send alerts for changing filter.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control module stores of C _n , a preset value of C _n , as C _max , and reports end of membrane filter life when C _n ³ C _max . For example, C _max is 5A, then the control module will report end of membrane filter life as soon as C _n ³ 5A. It is preferred that if flow sensor is a part of the water treatment device the control module stores data generated by the flow sensor as FR _n values and a predetermined value of FR _n as FR _min . It is preferred that if flow sensor is a part of the water treatment device the control module reports end of membrane filter life when Cn > C _max or Cn > C _max and FR _n £ FR _min . That means in the presence of a flow sensor and assuming that FR _min is stored as 200 ml/min, the control module may be either configured to report end of membrane filter life when C _n ³ 5A, or may be configured to report end of membrane filter life when both the conditions C _n ³ 5A and FR _n £ 200 ml/min are satisfied. When the control module is configured to store Co (for example 4A, value which is less than the corresponding C _max value- 5A) and an FRo values (for example 150ml/min, value which is more than the corresponding F _min - 200ml/min value). Then the control module is further configured to indicate long filter life when C _n < 4 or FR _n > 150ml/min; indicate medium filter life when 5A >Cn > 4A or 200ml/min< FR _n < 150ml/min and indicate end of life when (Cn > 5) or (Cn > 5 and FR _n £ 200ml/min). The long, medium and end of life are preferably displayed on the display device, it may be in the form of colours indicating, red as end of life, amber as medium filter life and green as long filter life. The life status of the filter could also be displayed by band system, a circle and various other, graphical, statistical, percentage or other means of depicting the information. The various features of the present invention referred to in individual sections above apply, as appropriate, to other sections mutatis mutandis. Consequently, features specified in one section may be combined with features specified in other sections as appropriate. Any section headings are added for convenience only and are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way.