Patent Description:
Correlated magnet designs were introduced in <CIT>, titled "FIELD EMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD" (the ‴<NUM> Patent"). This patent describes field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which are in accordance with a predetermined code. The correlation properties correspond to a force function where spatial forces correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and a spatial force function.

In <CIT>, titled "APPARATUS AND METHODS RELATING TO PRECISION ATTACHMENTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND COMPONENTS (a related patent to the '<NUM> Patent), an attachment scheme between first and second components is taught. Generally, a first component includes a first field emission structure and the second component includes a second field emission structure, wherein each field emission structure includes multiple magnetic field emission sources (magnetic array) having positions and polarities relating to a predefined spatial force function that corresponds to a predetermined alignment of the field emission structures. The components are adapted to be attached to each other when the first field emission structure is in proximity of the second field emission structure.

When correlated magnets are brought into alignment with complementary or mirror image counterparts, the various magnetic field emission sources that make up each correlated magnet will align causing a peak spatial attraction force, while a misalignment will cause the various magnetic field emission sources to substantially cancel each other out. The spatial forces (attraction, repulsion) have a magnitude that is a function of the relative alignment of the two magnetic field emission structures, the magnetic field strengths, and their various polarities.

It is possible for the polarity of individual magnet sources to be varied in accordance with a code without requiring a holding mechanism to prevent magnetic forces from "flipping" a magnet. As an illustrious example of this magnetic action, an apparatus <NUM> of the prior art is depicted in <FIG>. Apparatus <NUM> includes a first component <NUM> and a second component <NUM>. The first component includes a first field emission structure <NUM> comprising multiple field emission sources <NUM>. The second component includes a second field emission structure <NUM> comprising multiple field emission sources <NUM>. The first and second components are adapted to attach to one another when the first field emission structure <NUM> is in proximity of the second field emission structure <NUM>, that is, when they are in a predetermined alignment with respect to one another.

The first field emission structure <NUM> may be configured to interact with the second field emission structure <NUM> such that the second component <NUM> can be aligned to become attached (attracted) to the first component <NUM> or misaligned to become removed (repulsed) from the first component. The first component <NUM> can be released from the second component <NUM> when their respective first and second field emission structures <NUM> and <NUM> are moved relative to one another to become misaligned.

Generally, the precision within which two or more field emission structures tend to align increases as the number N of different field emission sources in each field emission structure increases, for a given surface area A. In other words, alignment precision may be increased by increasing the number N of field emission sources forming two field emission structures. More specifically, alignment precision may be increased by increasing the number N of field emission sources included within a given surface area A.

In <CIT>, titled "CORRELATED MAGNETIC COUPLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING THE CORRELATED COUPLING DEVICE," a compressed gas system component coupling device is taught that uses the correlated magnet attachment scheme discussed above.

An illustrious example of this coupling device is shown in <FIG>, which depicts a quick connect air hose coupling <NUM> having a female element <NUM> and a male element <NUM>.

The female element <NUM> includes a first magnetic field emission structure <NUM>. The male element <NUM> includes a second magnetic field emission structure <NUM>. Both magnetic field emission structures are generally planar and are in accordance with the same code but are a mirror image of one another. The operable coupling and sealing of the connector components <NUM>, <NUM> is accomplished with sufficient force to facilitate a substantially airtight seal there between.

The removal or separation of the male element <NUM> from the female element <NUM> is accomplished by separating the attached first and second field emission structures <NUM> and <NUM>. The male element is released when the male element is rotated with respect to the female element, which in turn misaligns the first and second magnetic field emission structures.

A description of the precision alignments of polymagnets is further described herein. As is well known, in conventional magnets the holding force is generally high even when the magnets are off center. This means they are likely going to attract in undesirable places, and they will generally have a high frictional force holding them in that position.

A polymagnet pair of the same nature as the conventional magnet discussed above, is designed and engineered to incorporate an alignment pattern, and will exhibit a strong peak force (the holding force) when the polymagnets are in alignment. When the magnets are moved out of alignment, the force drops off rapidly. Furthermore, at a predetermined offset, these magnets will actually start to repel. In a system designed with these magnets, the components will feel like they are floating until they are more closely aligned, at which point they will attach.

In this manner, there is very little positive holding force outside the region where there is a strong alignment force. This removes the possibility of attachment when the components are misaligned.

Baker correlation codes are utilized to form the unique sequences of +<NUM> and -<NUM> in a function such that the two functions resonate strongly when aligned, and when shifted the resonance diminishes dramatically.

The present invention adapts the correlated (poly)magnet technology described above to an interconnection structure for a filter cartridge and a corresponding manifold.

Document <CIT> relates to a filter unit of a water purifier and a water purifier. The filter unit includes a sleeve, a filter bottle and a locking mechanism. The filter bottle includes a bottle body and a bottle cap. The bottle cap can be removed from a sleeve. The opening of the lower end of the cylinder is inserted into the sleeve and locked by a locking mechanism; the locking mechanism includes a card groove arranged on the outer wall of the bottle cap along the circumferential direction, and a radially penetrating pin hole corresponding to the card groove on the sleeve and a locating pin installed in the pin hole, the locking mechanism also includes a first permanent magnet fixed on the outer end of each locating pin, and a second permanent magnet fixed on the sleeve and opposite to the first permanent magnet. The repulsive force of the permanent magnet is used to replace the elastic force of the spring to realize the telescopic movement of the positioning pin, which avoids the accident that the filter bottle falls dues to the reduction of the force when the spring is subjected to greater pressure of the number of times of pressure is reduced.

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a "torque/align" model for a filter cartridge and manifold structure, which allows for one magnet on the filter cartridge to apply a torque to a non-contacting corresponding magnet on the manifold when they are in phase.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a filtration system incorporating correlated magnets for attachment, detachment, and primary function activation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filtration system (manifold and cartridge) in magnetic communication where the magnets provide attraction and repulsion upon predetermined rotation positions relative to one another.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to a filter cartridge having a filtration system comprising: a filter manifold having a rotatable manifold magnet, a mechanical stop in proximity to the manifold magnet, a valve, and a shroud; and the filter cartridge having housing body and a stem extending from a top portion of the housing body, and a filter magnet located on or within the stem; wherein the manifold magnet is attached to or housed within a rotatable structure having an extension or tab, such that the tab is in mechanical communication with the manifold mechanical stop at predetermined points of rotation of the manifold magnet, wherein the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are interconnected via magnetic communication with one another upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the shroud, and upon rotation of the filter cartridge, the manifold magnet rotates and is capable of actuating the valve to perform a primary function, such as turning ON or OFF fluid to the filter cartridge.

The manifold magnet is an array of correlated magnets having a first field emission structure.

The filter magnet is an array of correlated magnets having a second field emission structure.

The shroud includes a plurality of alignment tracks for receiving a filter boss that extends radially outwards from the filter cartridge housing, the alignment tracks governing the position of the filter cartridge upon rotation.

The manifold magnet includes a sheath extending over a surface of the manifold magnet, such that the manifold magnet is separated from the filter magnet by a physical barrier, the sheath in proximity to the filter magnet when the filter magnet is inserted within the shroud.

The filter magnet polarity is aligned with the manifold magnet polarity an attraction force is realized between the filter magnet and the manifold magnet when the filter cartridge is initially rotated within the shroud.

The manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet as the filter magnet rotates through approximately 90o in a first direction from an initial insertion position within the shroud.

The manifold magnet is prohibited from rotating with the filter magnet when the filter magnet rotates approximately 90o in a second direction from an initial insertion position within the shroud, such that the filter magnet polarity is no longer aligned with the manifold magnet polarity and a repulsion force is realized between the magnets to assist in filter cartridge extraction.

After rotation the filter cartridge is slidably removable from the manifold and shroud, and removal is assisted by the repulsion force.

Prohibition of rotation of the manifold magnet is achieved by having the tab abut the mechanical stop, such that the manifold magnet can no longer rotate with the filter magnet for rotation beyond the mechanical stop when the filter cartridge continues to be rotated.

The manifold magnet and the filter magnet each have respective field emission structures, wherein the manifold magnet field emission structure is configured to interact with the filter magnet field emission structure such that the manifold magnet and the filter magnet can be aligned to become attached (attracted) to one another or misaligned to become removed (repulsed) from one another, wherein the manifold magnet can be released from the filter magnet when their respective field emission structures are moved relative to one another to become misaligned.

The manifold for the filter cartridge comprises: a rotatable manifold magnet comprising an array of correlated magnets; a valve for turning fluid ingress to the manifold ON or OFF; and a shroud having a plurality of predetermined alignment tracks on an inside surface for receiving a filter boss extending from the filter cartridge, such that the filter cartridge is guided upon insertion and extraction from the shroud by the alignment tracks.

The manifold magnet is supported on a rotatable structure, rotatable relative to the manifold.

The filter cartridge comprises: a housing body, the filter housing body having a side surface, and top surface with a stem extending therefrom, and a filter boss extending radially outwards from the side surface; the stem including ingress and egress ports for fluid flow, and a filter magnet having a plurality of correlated magnets for magnetic interaction with complementary magnets on a manifold, the filter magnet positioned on a top surface of the stem or within the stem.

The filter cartridge comprises: a housing body and a stem extending from a top portion of the housing body, the stem including a filter magnet having a surface in close proximity to a manifold magnet when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold, the housing body including a filter boss extending radially outwards from a housing outer surface; the filter boss aligned within an alignment track of a manifold shroud when the filter cartridge is inserted therein; the filter magnet having a plurality of correlated magnets forming a field emission structure in magnetic communication with the manifold magnet when the filter cartridge is fully inserted within the shroud.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention is directed to a filtration system comprising: a filter manifold having a manifold magnet, a switch valve, and a shroud; and a filter cartridge having housing body, a stem extending from a top portion of the housing body, a filter boss extending radially from the housing body, and a filter magnet located on or within the stem; wherein the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are interconnected via magnetic communication with one another upon rotatable insertion of the filter cartridge into the shroud, and upon rotation of the filter cartridge, the manifold magnet rotates and is capable of actuating the switch valve to perform a primary function, such as turning ON or OFF fluid to the filter cartridge.

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to <FIG> of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

Correlated magnets contain areas of alternating poles. These codes of alternating poles can concentrate and/or shape magnetic fields to give matching pairs of magnets unique properties. The proposed design specifically uses a "torque/align" model, which allows for one magnet to apply a torque to a non-contacting corresponding magnet when they are in phase.

When the torque exceeds a maximum value either by application of excessive force or obstruction of the rotation of the connecting pair, the connecting pair components (each having a respective magnet) will have their magnets out of phase, and thus initiate a repulsion force against one another. The proposed design utilizes this property to attach a filter to a manifold, open and close a non-contacting valve (e.g., spool valve or other valve design) through rotation, and aid in filter removal by assisting in the ejection of the filter.

These features are accomplished by having at least a pair of magnets, preferably correlated magnets, oriented parallel to one another on each component of the connecting pair, wherein a first magnet is located on the top of a filter and a complementary magnet is located on the manifold designed to secure the filter into position. In at least one embodiment, a thin layer of material is introduced, physically separating the two magnets so they cannot have physical contacting surfaces, but they can still magnetically attract or repulse one another.

The function of the magnet located on the manifold is to assist in actuating a valve preferably through rotation (e.g., spool valve, cam and poppet valve, and other valve types). The manifold magnet is free to rotate, but restricted in rotational range. Preferably a ninety degree (<NUM>°) rotation is used to correspond to the open and closed positions of the valve; however, other ranges of rotation are possible and not prohibited. The filter cartridge magnet is also free to rotate with the rotating filter cartridge, and designed in an embodiment that ensures the filter cartridge will rotate further than the manifold magnet.

By way of example, when the manifold magnet is rotatable up to <NUM>°, the filter cartridge magnet is designed to freely rotate to one hundred eighty degrees (<NUM>°). The filter cartridge magnet is designed to perform two functions. The first function is to apply torque to the manifold magnet (that is, bring the manifold magnet along in rotation) in order to actuate a valve. The second function is to work in conjunction with a mechanical stop to force the magnet pair out of phase to aid in filter removal.

During initial installation, the filter is guided by an alignment rail and boss system so that the correlated magnet on the filter top surface (filter magnet) and the corresponding correlated magnet on the manifold (manifold magnet) are aligned (in-phase forming an attraction force) but not in contact. The correlated magnet in the manifold actuates a valve when rotated <NUM>°, said activation may be physically, electrically, or mechanically initiated.

When the filter is rotated the manifold magnet rotates along with it through attraction forces, and actuates the valve. Both the filter and manifold magnets are prevented from rotating past the point at which the valve is opened. To remove the filter, the filter is rotated in the counter-direction, bringing the manifold magnet along with it, at least partially along the rotational path, which causes the valve in the manifold to close. The magnet in the manifold is prevented from rotating past the closed position but the filter is free to "over-rotate", or in the exemplary embodiment, rotate an additional <NUM>°. The "over-rotation" of the filter forces the magnets out of phase and produces a net repulsive force between the filter and the manifold which then aids in filter removal.

<FIG> depicts a cross-section of a portion of a manifold <NUM> with a shroud or housing <NUM>. Manifold magnet <NUM> is situated at the top end of shroud <NUM>. A separator <NUM>, such as a plastic sheath, is attached below manifold magnet <NUM>, which serves to form a gap between manifold magnet <NUM> and filter magnet <NUM> (not shown) when the filter cartridge <NUM> is inserted within shroud <NUM> and connected to manifold <NUM>. This provides the physical separation between the manifold magnetic interconnection with the filter cartridge.

Manifold magnet <NUM> is rotatable about the center axis <NUM>; however, for reasons discussed below, the rotation is purposely limited to be different than, and preferably less than, the rotational range of the rotatable filter magnet <NUM>. A mechanical stop <NUM> on the manifold housing limits the rotation of the rotatable manifold magnet <NUM>. In one embodiment, mechanical stop <NUM> limits and restricts the rotation of manifold magnet <NUM> to ninety degrees (<NUM>°). Other rotational restrictions are possible based on the placement of the mechanical stop, and the present invention is not limited to a ninety degree restriction.

Shroud <NUM> includes alignment railings 20a-20d to steer a filter boss <NUM> which is shown on filter cartridge <NUM> of <FIG>. Alignment railings are preferably grooves embedded within shroud <NUM>; however, other forms of alignment are possible and not precluded from the present design. For example, the alignment rails may form slots for a tongue-and-groove attachment to the filter cartridge boss, or form extended linear segments to receive a filter cartridge boss having a receiving slot.

Referring to <FIG>, which is a partial cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge <NUM>, filter cartridge <NUM> includes a filter magnet <NUM> at the cartridge top end that is capable of rotation with respect to the axis of the filter cartridge. In this manner, the magnet may rotate concurrently with the cartridge rotation relative to the filter cartridge axis.

Alignment rail 20c on the manifold shroud <NUM> represents the "entry track" for filter cartridge <NUM> by receiving filter boss <NUM> when filter cartridge <NUM> is inserted within shroud <NUM>. In this illustrative embodiment, filter boss <NUM> is an extended protrusion that extends in the radial direction outwards from the filter cartridge axial center.

Alignment rail 20d guides the filter boss <NUM> through rotation about the axial center of the filter cartridge <NUM>. Alignment rail 20d directs the rotating position for filter boss <NUM> when filter cartridge <NUM> as the cartridge is fully inserted within shroud <NUM> and rotated such that filter boss <NUM> travels in alignment rail 20d to its end as its path partially circumvents the shroud's inner cavity. As will be shown in further detail below, this end rotational position of filter boss <NUM> within alignment rail 20d places the filter cartridge <NUM> in position for filtering operation.

<FIG> depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of a manifold <NUM> and filter cartridge <NUM> (within shroud <NUM>) in a connected or INSTALLED position or state, where the manifold <NUM>, specifically, manifold magnet <NUM>, is magnetically attached and attracted to filter magnet <NUM>. Manifold magnet <NUM> is shown above and in alignment with filter magnet <NUM>. For exemplary purposes, the alignment is depicted by the position indicator ⊗ on each magnet. The magnets are physically separated by a sheath or layer of material <NUM>, such as a plastic sheet, although other material types are certainly possible and not prohibited by the current design. The material of sheath <NUM> must be capable of allowing for magnetic attraction and repulsion forces to be transmitted therethrough, but allow for sliding rotation of the magnet surfaces.

Each magnet is a correlated magnet having a field emission structure. The manifold magnet field emission structure is configured to interact with the filter magnet field emission structure such that the magnets can be aligned to become attached (attracted) to one another or misaligned to become removed (repulsed) from one another. The manifold magnet can be released from the filter magnet when their respective field emission structures are moved relative to one another to become misaligned.

This INSTALLATION position of filter cartridge <NUM> is achieved by inserting filter cartridge <NUM> within shroud <NUM> with filter boss <NUM> aligned in alignment rail 20c, as shown in <FIG> traversing to the topmost position in alignment rail 20c, and stopping at the top edge of alignment rail 20d. When in this position, filter cartridge magnet <NUM> and manifold magnet <NUM> share an attraction force "F" (depicted in <FIG>), which attaches the filter cartridge to the manifold.

<FIG> depicts a perspective view of the position of filter boss <NUM> within the alignment rail <NUM> on shroud <NUM> when filter cartridge <NUM> is in the process of being placed in the INSTALLED position.

Filter cartridge <NUM> is first inserted within the entry rail 20c of shroud <NUM> until it reaches the top most portion of the alignment rail. At this point the manifold magnet <NUM> and filter magnet <NUM> are oriented for full attraction. That is, the correlated magnets that form the manifold and filter magnets are in their respective, opposite polarities for maximum attraction force. <FIG> depicts the polarity positions for the manifold magnet <NUM> and filter magnet <NUM> in the attracted or attached position. The positive polarities of the manifold magnet, as shown in a bottom side view, are aligned with the negative polarities of the filter magnet, as shown in a top side view, putting the magnets "in-phase". In this position, manifold magnet <NUM>, although now in attraction force with the filter cartridge magnet <NUM>, has not yet been rotated, and as such, a valve (not shown) that would otherwise be actuated upon the manifold magnet's rotation remains in its OFF state.

As depicted in <FIG>, manifold magnet <NUM> is fixably attached to a rotatable structure, such as a disc <NUM>, having a protrusion or tab <NUM> that moves with the rotation of the magnet. Tab <NUM> is designed to abut mechanical stop <NUM> in order to limit the range of rotation of manifold magnet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> & <FIG>, when the filter cartridge <NUM> and filter boss <NUM> are inserted within alignment rail 20c, the magnets are in-phase, and mechanical stop <NUM> abuts, and is in contact with, tab <NUM>.

Once filter cartridge <NUM> is installed within shroud <NUM>, and filter boss <NUM> is located at the topmost portion of alignment rail 20d, the cartridge is then rotated such that filter boss <NUM> slidably extends to one end of alignment rail 20d. Since manifold magnet <NUM> and filter magnet <NUM> are magnetically aligned in their "attracted" state, when filter cartridge <NUM> (and thus, filter magnet <NUM>) is rotated, manifold magnet <NUM> on disc <NUM> is correspondingly rotated. This new alignment position is depicted by the position indicator ⊗ on each magnet (<FIG>), showing "attraction" alignment when filter boss <NUM> as at the end of alignment rail 20d. <FIG> depicts the location of the filter boss <NUM> within alignment rail 20d at this point of rotation.

At this position point of the filter cartridge and filter manifold, respectively, resulting from the rotation of manifold magnet <NUM> concurrent with the rotation of the filter cartridge magnet <NUM>, a valve is actuated and the system is placed in an "ON" state, where typically water is allowed to flow into the filter cartridge. <FIG> depicts the attraction polarities of each magnet when the filter boss <NUM> is at the end position of alignment rail 20d. The magnets remain in complete attraction mode as they are rotated concurrently and in unison. Tab <NUM> of manifold disc <NUM> is rotated away from mechanical stop <NUM>. In this exemplary embodiment, tab <NUM> is ninety degrees (<NUM>°) away from mechanical stop <NUM>. In other embodiments it is possible for the separation between tab <NUM> and mechanical stop <NUM> to be at a greater (or lesser) rotational distance.

<FIG> depicts the interim status of the system when, from the ON state, it becomes necessary to replace and therefore eject filter cartridge <NUM>. Filter cartridge <NUM> is rotated from an endmost point of alignment rail 20d (<FIG>) back through the INSTALLED position (<FIG>) where filter boss <NUM> is in line with alignment rail 20c. At this point, as depicted in <FIG>, tab <NUM> abuts mechanical stop <NUM>, which abutment physically prohibits any further rotation of manifold magnet <NUM> in the direction of arrows <NUM>. At this juncture of the filter cartridge rotation, manifold magnet <NUM> stays in the "INSTALLED" position, and can rotate no further (in the direction of arrows <NUM>).

To eject filter cartridge <NUM>, rotation is continued, moving filter boss <NUM> slidably across shroud <NUM> to an opposite end point of alignment rail 20b. <FIG> depicts position indicators ⊗ out of phase with one another caused by the rotation of filter cartridge <NUM> when filter boss <NUM> is at the end point of alignment rail 20b.

<FIG> depicts filter boss <NUM> at the end point of alignment rail 20b.

As depicted in <FIG> & <FIG>, when the filter boss <NUM> is located at the end point of alignment rail 20b, manifold magnet <NUM> remains in its INSTALLED position, while filter magnet <NUM> continues to rotate ninety degrees (<NUM>°) further from its INSTALLED position. This is caused by tab <NUM> abutting mechanical stop <NUM> when the filter boss <NUM> rotates through the INSTALLED position on its way to the "EJECTION" position.

<FIG> depicts the magnet orientation at this EJECTION position. The magnets are now out-of-phase with one another, and a resulting repulsion force assists in removing filter cartridge <NUM> from shroud <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a top portion perspective view of filter cartridge <NUM>. Filter magnet <NUM> is shown on the top surface. Filter magnet <NUM> may be embedded within the stem portion <NUM> of the cartridge or exposed on the stem surface. A spool valve <NUM> is depicted within the stem portion <NUM> of the cartridge. Spool valve <NUM> includes two independent, separately located channels 40a,b for water ingress and egress. Upon rotation of filter cartridge <NUM>, the inlet/outlet ports 42a,b of channels 40a,b, respectively, direct water flow. When the system is in the ON state, water is directed to the filter cartridge from the manifold to a first channel (which for exemplary purposes will be referred to as channel 40a), then through filter media within the filter cartridge, and ultimately exits through the second channel (e.g., 40b). This embodiment is considered a single-stem side-loaded filter design since both ingress and egress access ports are on a single filter cartridge stem and water enters and exits the stem radially inwards and outwards. Other valve configurations are possible, such as cam and poppet valves, and such valve configurations are not precluded from this design. Upon rotation in an opposite direction, the system is placed in an OFF state where channels 40a,b, and their respective inlet/outlet ports 42a,b, are not aligned with water ingress and/or egress ports on the manifold. As noted in <FIG>, O-rings <NUM> may be used to keep the channel ports 42a,b separate, and out of fluid communication with one another.

<FIG> depicts another embodiment of the present invention having respective correlated magnets at the stem of the filter cartridge and at the base of the manifold <NUM>, where the filter cartridge includes a boss <NUM> for following a path in the manifold to facilitate insertion. In this embodiment, cartridge <NUM> is rotatably inserted within manifold <NUM>. A rotational direction is depicted by arrow A. Filter cartridge <NUM> includes a correlated magnet <NUM> at the end of its stem <NUM>, which is designed to be in magnetic communication with correlated magnet <NUM> of manifold <NUM>. Ingress water flows in the direction of arrow <NUM> into ingress channel <NUM>, such that when filter cartridge <NUM> is completely inserted within the stem receiving portion 52b of manifold <NUM>, water will flow through channel <NUM> into filter cartridge <NUM>. After filtration, water will then exit filter cartridge <NUM> into egress channel <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, boss <NUM> is designed to follow a thread or groove <NUM> formed in manifold <NUM>. Thread or groove <NUM> may be a spiral thread path, or as depicted a Z-thread path for boss <NUM> to traverse. As shown in <FIG>, boss <NUM> is in the top portion of thread <NUM> and in this configuration the filter cartridge stem <NUM> is not fully inserted within stem receiving portion 52b of manifold <NUM>. Correlated magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are not aligned for either maximum attraction or maximum repulsion.

The alignment tracks are configured in a Z-shaped pattern such that the filter cartridge upon insertable rotation rotates for a first portion of an arc-turn with little or no movement in an insertion direction, then moves in the insertion direction within the shroud for a second portion of an arc-turn, and finally rotates for a third portion of an arc-turn with little or no movement in the insertion direction.

As the filter cartridge <NUM> is rotated in the direction of arrow A, boss <NUM> traverses down the threaded path <NUM> to the bottom of the path, as shown in <FIG>, and filter cartridge stem <NUM> is seated within stem receiving portion 52b of manifold <NUM>. In this position, correlated magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are ultimately aligned for either maximum attraction or maximum repulsion, and magnet <NUM> is positioned to activate a switch <NUM> either mechanically or magnetically. Such a switch is capable of providing a primary function to the filter system, such as turning on the ingress water, activating an electronic circuit for parametric measurements, and/or providing a status indicator to the user, to name a few.

When magnets <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned, if they are situated for an attraction upon alignment, they will rotate together as boss <NUM> traverses further down threaded path <NUM>, or as shown, along the bottom straight portion of thread <NUM>. The subsequent rotation of the aligned magnets together will place the manifold magnet <NUM> in communication with switch <NUM> for switch activation.

Claim 1:
A filter cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing body, said filter housing body having a side surface, and top surface with a stem (<NUM>) extending therefrom, and a filter boss (<NUM>) extending radially outwards from said side surface;
said stem (<NUM>) including ingress and egress ports for fluid flow, and a filter magnet (<NUM>) having a plurality of correlated magnets for magnetic interaction with complementary magnets on a manifold (<NUM>), said filter magnet (<NUM>) positioned on a top surface of said stem (<NUM>) or within said stem (<NUM>); and
filter media located within the filter cartridge.