Button Trap with Finger Array for Laundry Drain Foreign Object Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry appliances face challenges in preventing foreign objects from damaging pumps while allowing fine particulate material like lint to pass through, as existing systems are inefficient in capturing larger objects and processing particulates effectively.
Innovation Solution
A button trap with an elongated body and plurality of fingers extending across an aperture is integrated into the tub drain, allowing particulate material to pass while preventing foreign objects from entering the fluid pump system, utilizing a configuration that directs fluid flow and includes a flow restriction space for air movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional drain system is used, then fluid flows freely from the wash tub to the pump, but foreign objects can pass through and damage the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system is segmented into multiple functional zones: an upper portion with fingers for capturing foreign objects, a flow restriction space for air separation, and a lower portion for fluid passage. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function effectively while protecting the pump from foreign objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap body acts as an intermediary element between the wash tub drain and the pump. It includes a flow restriction space that mediates the fluid flow, allowing air to be separated and prevented from entering the pump while permitting fluid and captured foreign objects to pass through to the pump.
2Reliability
If a trap with fingers is used to capture foreign objects, then pump protection is improved, but fine particulate material like lint may accumulate on the fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the trap body, extending in multiple directions to maximize foreign object capture surface area while maintaining open spaces for lint passage. This spatial arrangement allows foreign objects to be captured on the fingers while lint can pass through the gaps between fingers.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap design allows the fingers to be positioned such that they can be easily accessed and cleaned. The removable nature of the trap body enables dynamic maintenance where fingers can be quickly cleared of accumulated lint without disassembling the entire drain system.
3Productivity
If air is allowed to move upward through the drain system, then fluid flow is improved, but air may enter the pump system and cause operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restriction space is specifically designed to extract and separate air from the fluid flow. Air bubbles rise through this dedicated space and are prevented from entering the pump, while fluid continues to flow efficiently to the pump. This extraction function separates the air handling from the fluid pumping functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap utilizes pneumatic principles where air, being less dense than water, naturally rises through the flow restriction space. The design exploits this pneumatic behavior to separate air from fluid flow, allowing efficient fluid drainage while preventing air ingestion by the pump.
4Reliability
If the trap body restricts flow to capture foreign objects, then pump protection is improved, but fluid flow rate may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The trap body provides localized flow restriction only in the upper portion where foreign object capture is needed. The lower portion and outlet maintain full flow capacity, ensuring that fluid flow rate to the pump is not significantly reduced while still providing effective foreign object capture in the critical upper region.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively captures foreign objects like buttons and coins, preventing damage to pumps while allowing lint and other fine particles to be processed, ensuring efficient operation and easy maintenance by preventing accumulation on the trap.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of fingers are configured to permit passage of particulate material and prevent passage of foreign objects through the elongated body
Implementation Method 2
The elongated body defines a flow restriction space that permits upward movement of air as fluid moves through the plurality of apertures
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a wash tub disposed within a cabinet. A rotating drum is disposed within the wash tub. A drain system directs a fluid from the wash tub to a fluid pump. A trap is disposed within a tub drain of the wash tub. The trap includes an elongated body having a plurality of fingers that extend across an aperture defined within the elongated body. The plurality of fingers are configured to permit passage of particulate material and prevent passage of foreign objects through the elongated body.