Water diverter assembly for a water filter

A water diverter assembly is provided. The water diverter assembly includes a valve and a selecting mechanism. The selecting mechanism permits adjustment of the valve. Such adjustment can selectively direct a flow of filtered water or a flow of unfiltered water through the valve. The water diverter assembly also includes an auxiliary filtered water connection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to water diverters, e.g., for water filters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water filters are generally divided into two classes: point of entry water filters and point of use water filters. Point of use water filters can be installed at a kitchen sink or within a refrigerator appliance in order to filter water entering such devices. In particular, water filters are generally provided with a filtering media such as a block of activated carbon. The water filter's filtering media can adsorb or remove contaminants such as chlorine and lead from water prior to delivering such water to a user.

The water filter's filtering media generally has a limited useful life. In particular, the filtering media can generally only filter a certain volume of water before exhausting the filter's capacity. Thus, the water filter's filtering media is preferably replaced or serviced at regular intervals to insure that the water filter is working properly. However, replacements and servicing can be time consuming and expensive.

Filtered water is generally utilized for consumption such as drinking. However, when installed at a kitchen sink, filtered water provided by a water filter may be utilized for many tasks such as cleaning dishes or washing hands for which filtered water is neither needed or preferred. Thus, the water filter's filtering media can reach its filtering capacity despite wasting a large volume of filtered water on various unneeded uses.

Accordingly, a water filtering assembly with features for selectively accessing a flow of filtered water would be useful. In particular, a water filtering assembly with features for selectively initiating and terminating a flow of filtered water would be useful.

In addition, many countertop appliances such as coffee makers can utilize filtered water to improve their performance. Accordingly, a water filtering assembly with features for permitting a countertop appliance to receive filtered water from the water filtering assembly would be useful. In particular, a water filtering assembly mounted below a countertop that includes features for permitting a countertop appliance sitting on top of the countertop to receive filtered water from the water filtering assembly would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a water diverter assembly. The water diverter assembly includes a valve and a selecting mechanism. The selecting mechanism permits adjustment of the valve. Such adjustment can selectively direct a flow of filtered water or a flow of unfiltered water through the valve. The water diverter assembly also includes an auxiliary filtered water connection. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a water diverter assembly is provided. The water diverter assembly defines a vertical direction. The water diverter assembly includes a support stand having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is positioned opposite the upper surface. A three way valve is mounted to the support stand adjacent the lower surface of the support stand. The three way valve has a filtered water inlet, an unfiltered water inlet, and an outlet. The three way valve is selectively adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The filtered water inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet in the first configuration. The unfiltered water inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet in the second configuration. A selecting mechanism is mounted to the support stand adjacent the upper surface of the support stand. The selecting mechanism is in mechanical communication with the three way valve in order to selectively adjust the three way valve between the first and second configurations. An auxiliary filtered water connection is mounted to the support stand adjacent the upper surface of the support stand. The auxiliary filtered water connection is in fluid communication with filtered water inlet of the three way valve.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a water diverter assembly is provided. The water diverter assembly includes a support stand having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface of the support stand is positioned opposite the upper surface of the support stand. A valve is mounted to the support stand adjacent the lower surface of the support stand. The valve has a filtered water inlet, an unfiltered water inlet, and an outlet. The outlet is in selective fluid communication with either the filtered water inlet or the unfiltered water. A selecting mechanism is mounted to the support stand adjacent the upper surface of the support stand. The selecting mechanism is configured for selectively adjusting the valve in order to place the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with either the filtered water inlet or the unfiltered water depending upon the type of water selected. An auxiliary filtered water connection is mounted to the support stand adjacent the upper surface of the support stand. The auxiliary filtered water connection is in fluid communication with filtered water inlet of the valve.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a water diverter assembly is provided. The water diverter assembly includes a support stand configured for resting on a top surface of a countertop when the water diverter is mounted to the countertop. A valve is mounted to the support stand. The valve has a filtered water inlet, an unfiltered water inlet, and an outlet. The outlet is in selective fluid communication with either the filtered water inlet or the unfiltered water. The valve is configured for being positioned below a bottom surface of the countertop when the water diverter is mounted to the countertop. A selecting mechanism mounted to the support stand. The selecting mechanism is configured for selectively adjusting the valve in order to place the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with either the filtered water inlet or the unfiltered water depending upon the type of water selected. The selecting mechanism is configured for being positioned above the top surface of the countertop when the water diverter is mounted to the countertop. An auxiliary filtered water connection is mounted to the support stand. The auxiliary filtered water connection is in fluid communication with filtered water inlet of the valve. The auxiliary filtered water connection is configured for being positioned above the top surface of the countertop when the water diverter is mounted to the countertop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1provides a section view of a plumbing assembly10according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. The plumbing assembly10includes a sink12mounted to a countertop11. Countertop11includes a top surface30and a bottom surface32. Top surface30is positioned opposite bottom surface32such that top and bottom surfaces30and32are spaced apart along a vertical direction V. Countertop11defines an aperture15that extends through countertop11between top and bottom surfaces30and32. Sink12sits within aperture15such that a lip17of sink12rests on top surface30of countertop11. Lip17supports sink12on countertop11and, e.g., hinders sink12from falling through aperture15along the vertical direction V.

Sink12includes a faucet13that selectively directs water into basins14defined by sink12. As an example, a user can actuate faucet13in order to direct water towards one of basins14. Such water can be used to clean dishes or other items within basins14, wash the user's hands, and/or fill a container such as a cup to facilitate consumption of the water. Plumbing assembly10also includes a drain16that directs waste (e.g., liquids such as water and solids such as food particles) out of basins14of sink12, e.g., to a sewer or septic system.

Faucet13of sink12is in fluid communication with a cold water conduit20and hot water conduit18. Thus, faucet13can selectively direct heated water from hot water conduit18and/or cooler water (relative to heated water) from cold water conduit towards basins14. Hot water conduit18is configured for receipt of heated water, e.g., from a hot water heater (not shown). Conversely, cold water conduit20is configured for receipt of cooler water from a water source (not shown) such as a municipal water supply or a well.

When rinsing dishes and/or consuming water from faucet13, a user may prefer filtered water. Accordingly, plumbing assembly10includes features for selectively providing filtered water to faucet13. In particular, plumbing assembly10includes a water filtering assembly22for filtering water from the water source described above. Water filtering assembly22includes a filtering media (not shown) such as, e.g., UV bulbs, ceramic filters, activated carbon filters, polymer filters, reverse osmosis filters, or combinations thereof. The filtering media can remove contaminants such as chlorine, chloroform, lead, arsenic, pharmaceuticals, microbes, and/or other undesirable substances from water. As will be understood by those skilled in the art and as used herein, the term “water” includes purified water and solutions or mixtures containing water and, e.g., elements (such as calcium, chlorine, and fluorine), salts, bacteria, nitrates, organics, and other chemical compounds or substances.

Cold water conduit20can receive either filtered water from water filtering assembly22or unfiltered water directly from the water source described above. In particular, the water source provides unfiltered water to an unfiltered water conduit26. Water filtering assembly22receives unfiltered water from unfiltered water conduit26and cleans or filters such water such that it exits water filtering assembly22into a filtered water conduit24as filtered water. Thus, plumbing assembly10is configured for directing either filtered water from filtered water conduit24to cold water conduit20and faucet13or unfiltered water from unfiltered water conduit26to cold water conduit20and faucet13.

A water diverter assembly28is mounted to countertop12and is in fluid communication with filtered water conduit24, unfiltered water conduit26, and cold water conduit20. Water diverter assembly28selectively directs either filtered water from filtered water conduit24or unfiltered water directly from unfiltered water conduit26to faucet13. Thus, water diverter assembly28regulates whether filtered water or unfiltered water is supplied to faucet13. As an example, a user washing dishes may prefer to utilize unfiltered water. Conversely, the user may prefer filtered water for drinking. The user can utilize water diverter assembly28to switch between filtered water and unfiltered water at faucet13. Thus, e.g., a useful life of filtering media within water filtration assembly22can be extended by avoiding unnecessary or excessive use of water filtration assembly22when filtered water is not required or desired at faucet13.

FIG. 2illustrates a top, perspective view of a water diverter assembly100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Water diverter assembly100can, e.g., be utilized within a plumbing assembly such as plumbing assembly10(FIG. 1). Thus, water diverter assembly100can selectively direct either filtered water or unfiltered water to an outlet depending upon a user selection.

Water diverter assembly100includes a support stand110. Support stand110can, e.g., rest on top surface30of countertop11(FIG. 1) or be positioned on bottom surface32of countertop11(FIG. 1). Support stand110includes an upper surface112and a lower surface114. Lower surface114is positioned opposite upper surface112on support stand110such that upper and lower surfaces112and114are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Support stand110can be constructed of any suitable material, e.g., a metal such as aluminum or a plastic such as polyethylene.

Water diverter assembly100includes a valve120, e.g., a three-way valve such as a three port ball valve, mounted to support stand110adjacent lower surface112of support stand110. Valve120is configured for receipt of both filtered water and unfiltered water. In particular, valve120is configured for permitting either filtered water or unfiltered water to pass through valve120as discussed in greater detail below. Valve120is also configured for being positioned below countertop11when water diverter assembly100is utilized in plumbing assembly10(FIG. 1).

Water diverter assembly100includes a selecting mechanism130mounted to support stand110adjacent upper surface114of support stand100. Selecting mechanism130is in mechanical communication with valve120. Thus, selecting mechanism130is configured for permitting a user to adjust valve120. In particular, the user can utilize selecting mechanism130to adjust valve120such that either filtered water or unfiltered water passes through valve120. Selecting mechanism130includes a knob131that the user can actuate in order to select either filtered water or unfiltered water. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, selecting mechanism may include any suitable mechanism for a user to actuate valve120. For example, selecting mechanism130may include a dial, switch, or button.

Water diverter assembly100further includes an auxiliary filtered water connection140mounted to support stand110adjacent the upper surface114of support stand110. Auxiliary filtered water connection140is configured to receive filtered water as discussed in greater detail below. Auxiliary filtered water connection140can supply such filtered water to an appliance (not shown) such as a coffee maker or tea pot. As an example, a hose or tube (not shown) can extend between auxiliary filtered water connection140and the appliance that is positioned on top surface30of countertop11(FIG. 1). Thus, auxiliary filtered water connection140can supply filtered water through countertop11to appliances positioned on top surface30of countertop11. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, auxiliary filtered water connection140can include a stop or non-spill valve for hindering filtered water from leaking out of auxiliary filtered water connection140, e.g., when auxiliary filtered water connection140is not supplying filtered water to an appliance on countertop11. As an example, the non-spill valve may include a Colder Products NS2D1204 having an internal valve that is spring loaded such that it closes off a flow of filtered water when not connected to the appliance. Conversely, when connected to the appliance, the internal valve and the spring are pushed back such that the flow of filtered water is permitted.

FIG. 3provides a bottom, perspective view of water diverter assembly100. As may be seen inFIG. 3, valve120has a filtered water inlet122, an unfiltered water inlet124, and an outlet126. As discussed above, valve120can selectively permit either filtered water or unfiltered water to pass through valve120. In particular, valve120is selectively adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration. Filtered water inlet122of valve120is in fluid communication with outlet126in the first configuration. Conversely, unfiltered water inlet124is in fluid communication with outlet126in the second configuration. Thus, valve120can permit filtered water to flow through valve120from filtered water inlet122to outlet126in the first configuration, and valve120can permit unfiltered water to flow through valve120from unfiltered water inlet124to outlet126in the second configuration.

A user can utilize selecting mechanism130on upper surface114of support stand110to selectively adjust valve120between the first and second configurations. As an example, when water diverter assembly100is mounted to countertop11(FIG. 1), selecting mechanism130can permit the user to select between filtered water and unfiltered water without having to access an area below countertop11. Thus, water diverter assembly100can provide improved convenience to the user.

FIG. 4is a side, elevation view of water diverter assembly100.FIG. 5illustrates an exploded view of water diverter assembly100. As may be seen inFIG. 5, support stand110defines a first hole116and a second hole117through support block110, e.g., from lower surface112to upper surface114. A bracket133is mounted to support stand110at first hole116with retaining nuts134. In particular, retaining nuts134can be threaded to bracket133on opposite sides of support block110, and retaining nuts134can then be urged or rotated towards one another in order to fix or secure bracket to support stand110. Bracket133supports valve120and mounts valve120to support stand110, e.g., at first hole116. In a similar manner, auxiliary filtered water connection140is mounted to stand110at second hole117. In particular, a retaining nut146can be threaded to auxiliary filtered water connection140in order to secure or fix auxiliary filtered water connection140to support stand110, e.g., at second hole117.

Selecting mechanism130includes a stem132. Stem132extends longitudinally between a top portion150and a bottom portion152. In particular, stem132extends between valve120and knob131in order to couple valve120and knob131together such that a user can selectively actuate valve120with knob131, e.g., between the first and second configurations described above. Thus, top portion150of stem132is positioned adjacent and coupled to knob131, and bottom portion152of stem is positioned adjacent and coupled to a driver135that can adjust valve120between the first and second configurations when knob131is turned.

As discussed above, auxiliary filtered water connection140is configured to receive filtered water. In particular, auxiliary filtered water connection140is in fluid communication with filtered water inlet122of valve120. A bypass joint or elbow141is mounted to valve120at filtered water inlet122. Bypass joint141defines a bypass entrance142, a bypass outlet143, and a bypass exit144. Bypass exit144is positioned at filtered water inlet122of valve120and places valve120and bypass joint131in fluid communication. Similarly, a conduit145extends between and fluidly connects bypass outlet143of bypass joint141and auxiliary filtered water connection140.

Conduit145is positioned within and extends through bracket133. In particular, conduit154extends between a first portion154and a second portion156. First portion154of conduit145is connected to auxiliary filtered water connection140and passes through a first aperture157defines by bracket133, and second portion156of conduit145is connected to bypass outlet143of bypass joint141and passes through a second aperture158defined by bracket133. Second aperture158of bracket133being disposed below first aperture157of bracket133, e.g., along the vertical direction V.

As an example, filtered water can enter bypass joint141at bypass inlet122and flow into both bypass outlet143and bypass exit144. Thus, filtered water is supplied to both valve120and auxiliary filtered water connection140. In particular, auxiliary filtered water connection140receives filtered water from bypass entrance142despite the configuration of valve120, i.e., whether valve120is in either the first or second configuration.