System and method for manufacturing a system for filtering and disinfecting drinking water
A water filter system includes a water filter assembly and an enclosure. The water filter assembly has a housing with a water inlet and a water outlet, a filter portion within the housing, and a reservoir portion within the housing apart from the filter portion. A window in the housing conveys ultraviolet light into the reservoir from an external light source. A water channel conveys water from the inlet to the outlet through the filter and the reservoir portions. The enclosure removably receives the water filter assembly in a cavity within the enclosure. An enclosure water inlet mates with the filter water inlet, and an enclosure water outlet mates with the filter water outlet. A light source within the enclosure is arranged to direct light into the reservoir portion.
1. A water filter system, comprising:
a water filter assembly further comprising:
a housing with a filter fluid inlet and a filter fluid outlet;
a filter portion within the housing;
a reservoir portion within the housing apart from the filter portion;
a window in the housing configured to convey UV light into the reservoir portion from a light source outside the housing; and
a fluid channel configured to communicate a fluid from the filter fluid inlet to the filter fluid outlet through the filter portion and the reservoir portion; and
an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the water filter assembly, comprising:
an enclosure housing configured to removably receive the water filter assembly in a cavity within the enclosure;
an enclosure fluid inlet configured to mate with the filter fluid inlet;
an enclosure fluid outlet configured to mate with the filter fluid outlet; and
the light source faces the window and directs light into the reservoir portion.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical channel configured to convey electricity between an exterior portion of the enclosure and the light source.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure housing further comprises a movable and/or removable portion configured to facilitate insertion of the water filter assembly into the cavity and/or removal of the water filter assembly from the cavity.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the light source is mounted in the movable and/or removable portion.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to provide light having a wavelength range of 220 nm to 400 nm, and the window is configured to provide at least 90% transmission over the wavelength range.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to provide light having a wavelength range of 260 nm to 400 nm, and the window is configured to provide at least 50% transmission over the wavelength range.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the filter portion comprises a filter material configured to provide mechanical and/or chemical water filtration.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to activate the light source upon sensing a signal from one or more of the group consisting of an actuator, a timer, and a flow sensor.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode array.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to be cooled via a vent in the enclosure housing and/or a heat sink.
11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment tab, wherein the alignment tab is configured to:
align the enclosure fluid inlet with the filter fluid inlet; and
align the enclosure fluid outlet with the filter fluid outlet.
12. A method for manufacturing a water filter system, comprising steps of:
forming a water filter assembly comprising a housing with a filter fluid inlet, a filter fluid outlet, a filter portion within the housing, a reservoir portion apart from the filter portion within the housing, and a window in the housing configured to convey UV light from a light source outside the housing into the reservoir portion;
forming a first fluid channel configured to communicate a fluid from the filter fluid inlet to filter fluid outlet through the filter portion and the reservoir portion;
forming an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the water filter assembly, comprising an enclosure housing comprising a movable and/or removable portion, an enclosure fluid inlet, an enclosure fluid outlet, and a light source, wherein the enclosure is configured to removably receive the water filter assembly in a cavity within the enclosure in an arrangement with the light source adjacent to the window admitting light from the light source into the reservoir portion, wherein the movable and/or removable portion comprises a door, and wherein the light source is mounted in the movable and/or removable portion;
forming a second fluid channel between the filter fluid inlet and the enclosure fluid inlet; and
forming a third fluid channel between the filter fluid outlet and the enclosure fluid outlet.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of providing an electrical channel between an exterior portion of the enclosure and the light source.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the movable and/or removable portion is configured to facilitate inserting the water filter assembly into the-cavity and/or removing the water filter assembly from the cavity.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the light source is configured to provide light having a wavelength range of 220 nm to 400 nm, and the window is configured to provide at least 90% transmission over the wavelength range.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the light source is configured to provide light having a wavelength range of 260 nm to 400 nm, and the window is configured to provide at least 50% transmission over the wavelength range.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the filter portion comprises a filter material configured to provide mechanical and/or chemical water filtration.
18. A water filter system comprising:
a water filter assembly, comprising:
a housing with a filter fluid inlet and a filter fluid outlet;
a filter portion within the housing;
a reservoir portion within the housing apart from the filter portion, wherein at least a first surface of the reservoir portion includes a UV reflective material;
a window in the housing configured to convey UV light into the reservoir portion from an external light source; and
a fluid channel configured to communicate a fluid from the filter fluid inlet to filter fluid outlet through the filter portion and the reservoir portion,
wherein the filter portion comprises a filter material configured to provide mechanical and/or chemical water filtration; and
an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the water filter assembly, comprising:
a movable and/or removable portion, wherein the movable and/or removable portion comprises a door.
19. The water filter assembly of claim 18 , wherein the window is configured to provide at least 90% transmission over a wavelength range of 220 nm to 400 nm.
20. The water filter assembly of claim 18 , wherein the external light source is configured to provide light having a wavelength range of 260 nm to 400 nm, and the window is configured to provide at least 50% transmission over the wavelength range.