Drawer Washer Closure Sensing With a Single Position Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drawer-type laundry treatment apparatuses require multiple sensors to detect whether the drawer is inserted into the cabinet and if an object is seated on the top surface, which complicates the design and increases the risk of water leakage and instability due to shifted center of gravity when the drawer is withdrawn.
Innovation Solution
A single sensor system that includes a contact portion and a position sensor to determine if the drawer is inserted and if an object is seated on the cabinet, using a magnet or light intensity to confirm the drawer's position and control the operation of the apparatus, minimizing the need for additional sensors and stabilizing the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect drawer insertion and object presence, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate sensor functions (drawer insertion detection and object presence detection) into a single sensor system. The sensor detects both the drawer insertion state and the presence of an object on the cabinet top surface using one integrated sensing mechanism, thereby reducing the number of sensors from two to one while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects whether the drawer is inserted into the cabinet and simultaneously detects whether an object is seated on the top surface of the cabinet. This multi-functional sensor replaces what would traditionally require two separate sensors, simplifying the device while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is withdrawn from the cabinet, then accessibility is improved, but stability deteriorates due to center of gravity shift
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system detects the drawer insertion state and the presence of an object before allowing operation. By requiring the drawer to be properly inserted and an object to be present on the cabinet top, the system prevents operation conditions that would cause instability. This preliminary detection and control mechanism ensures stability is maintained while still allowing drawer withdrawal when appropriate.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect both drawer insertion and object presence, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor system segments the detection process into distinct detection zones or modes: one for detecting drawer insertion and another for detecting object presence. The sensor can differentiate between these two detection targets by analyzing the position, magnitude, or pattern of the detected signal, thereby maintaining measurement precision for each specific detection function while using only one sensor.
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
The solution allows for reliable detection of the drawer's position and object presence using a single sensor, preventing water leakage and ensuring apparatus stability by controlling operations only when the drawer is properly closed and an object is seated, thus enhancing safety and simplifying the design.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet or light intensity to confirm the drawer's position
Implementation Method 2
A magnet or light intensity to confirm the drawer's position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet including an upper cover, a first side cover and a second side cover, a cover through hole formed through the upper cover, and an outlet formed in a front surface of the cabinet, a drawer including a drawer body, and a drawer panel fixed to the drawer body, a tub arranged in the drawer body, a drum rotatably arranged inside the tub, an operation part having one end rotatably fixed to the first side cover and a free end, a contact portion exposed to an outside of the cabinet and configured to move toward an inside of the cabinet and toward the cover through hole, a converter configured to move the free end, and a position sensor configured to sense a position of the free end when the outlet is closed to sense closure of the outlet.