Removable Water Tanks With Magnetic Level Sensing for Clothes Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes treatment apparatuses lack an efficient method to directly sense the water level in tanks, leading to potential water deficiency or overflow issues during operation, which can disrupt steam generation and condensate management.
Innovation Solution
The clothes treatment apparatus incorporates water supply and drainage tanks with level sensors that use magnetic floats and sensors to accurately monitor water levels, preventing interruptions in steam supply and condensate management, and includes a tank support system to securely position the tanks and facilitate easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water level sensing is not implemented, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but water deficiency or overflow issues occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic water level sensing systems with a simple magnetic float and magnetic sensor mechanism. The float contains a magnet that interacts with a magnetic sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor or reed switch) mounted on the tank wall, providing reliable water level detection through magnetic field interaction rather than complex electrical circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The water level sensing system is designed to be self-regulating through the magnetic float mechanism. When water reaches a certain level, the float rises and triggers the magnetic sensor, which automatically controls the water supply valve to stop filling. Similarly, when the drainage tank reaches its maximum level, the float mechanism automatically activates the drainage pump. This eliminates the need for external monitoring and manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If tanks are fixed in position, then installation is simple, but user access for refilling and emptying is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water management system into separate, removable tank modules - a fresh water supply tank and a waste water drainage tank. Each tank can be independently removed from the apparatus for refilling or emptying, then reinstalled in the designated tank installation space. This modular segmentation allows easy user access while maintaining stable installation through dedicated mounting interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank mounting system transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic removable connection. The tanks are designed with engagement features that provide stable installation during operation but allow easy removal when needed. The magnetic float mechanisms inside the tanks also provide dynamic response to water level changes, automatically activating supply or drainage operations as conditions require.
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
This solution allows for immediate detection of water deficiencies or overflows, ensuring continuous operation by maintaining sufficient water levels for steam generation and condensate storage, thereby preventing interruptions and ensuring efficient treatment cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump unit that is located in the cycle chamber and that is configured to circulate and condition air in the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 2
condensed water generated in at least one of the treatment chamber or the heat pump unit
Implementation Method 3
a steam unit that is located in the cycle chamber and that is configured to supply steam to the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 4
a water supply level sensor that is located in the water supply tank and that is configured to sense a water level of the water supply tank
Implementation Method 5
a drainage level sensor that is located in the drainage tank and that is configured to sense a water level of the drainage tank
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a door, and a steam unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a heat pump unit that is located in the cycle chamber and that is configured to circulate and condition air in the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a water supply tank that is installed in the tank installation space, that is connected to the steam unit, and that is configured to supply water to the steam unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a drainage tank that is separably installed in the tank installation space, that is configured to store condensed water generated in at least one of the treatment chamber or the heat pump unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a water supply level sensor. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a drainage level sensor.