Water filter assembly for use in an appliance

Abstract

An apparatus for filtering water dispensed from an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator) includes a low-profile filter cartridge (or a bank of filter cartridges) releasably connected to a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly is in communication with the water inlet of the appliance and routs the filtered water to points of use. A water usage sensor in the manifold monitors the filter cartridge life and alerts the user when it is time to replace the filter. A latching mechanism includes a latching member 200 on the cartridge and a linearly moveable actuator 174 for releasably securing the filter cartridge to the manifold assembly. A flow control valve ensures that the water circuit remains closed when the filter cartridge is removed from the manifold.

1 . A modular filter assembly comprising 
 a filter cartridge comprising, a shell having an open end, a cap sealable on the open end of the shell and a generally rectangular filter element disposed within the shell, the cap having an inlet protrusion extending therefrom and an outlet protrusion extending therefrom; and    a manifold assembly having an inlet port for receiving the inlet protrusion and an outlet port for receiving the outlet protrusion, one of the inlet protrusion and the outlet protrusion having a shape different than the corresponding inlet and outlet protrusion to provide for registration of the filter cartridge with respect to the manifold assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The modular filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold assembly includes a flow meter housing for receiving an impeller wheel, the flow meter housing in fluidic communication with the outlet protrusion of the filter cartridge.  
     
     
         3 . The modular filter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the flow meter housing further includes a sensor for sensing the rotations of the impeller, the sensor electrically connected to a microprocessor that monitors water volume filtered by the filter cartridge.  
     
     
         4 . A method of filtering water dispensed by a water dispensing appliance, the method comprising the steps of: 
 aligning an inlet protrusion of a filter cartridge with an inlet port of a manifold assembly in the appliance and aligning an outlet protrusion of the filter cartridge with an outlet port of the manifold assembly; and    urging the filter cartridge into the manifold assembly, thereby actuating a flow control valve disposed within the manifold assembly to permit water to flow through the filter cartridge and actuating a latching assembly to secure the filter cartridge to the manifold assembly.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of monitoring the volume of water being filtered by the filter cartridge to determine the remaining service life of the filter cartridge.