Washing Machine Pressure Sensor Guard for Overflow Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pressure sensors in washing machines lack a safety device to compensate for malfunctions, leading to improper water level adjustments, which can result in excessive or insufficient water supply, causing damage to laundry and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus is introduced that includes a diaphragm, a metal core, a first sensing part, a measurement part, a second sensing part, and a controller to block the water inflow path when the pressure sensor malfunctions, ensuring a uniform water supply by sensing the maximum and minimum positions of the measurement part and outputting a blocking signal to prevent overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pressure sensor is used to adjust water level in washing machines, then water supply optimization is achieved, but reliability deteriorates when the sensor malfunctions without safety compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a safety device with blocking capability before malfunction occurs. The blocking part is positioned in advance within the water supply path, and the control unit is pre-programmed to detect sensor failures and activate the blocking mechanism, preventing harmful effects before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control unit that mediates between the pressure sensor and the water supply system. This control unit monitors sensor output and can independently activate the blocking part to cut off water supply when sensor malfunction is detected, serving as a protective intermediary layer.
2Quantity of substance
If the pressure sensor malfunctions and supplies excessive washing water, then water level adjustment function is lost, but harmful effects such as laundry damage and environmental pollution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a blocking part that can preemptively stop water supply when sensor malfunction is detected. This blocking mechanism acts in opposition to the excessive water flow before it can cause laundry damage or environmental pollution, neutralizing the harmful effect in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of uncontrolled water supply into a benefit by using the malfunction detection signal to trigger the blocking mechanism. The same condition that would cause harm (sensor failure leading to uncontrolled water flow) is transformed into an opportunity to activate safety protection and prevent damage.
3Reliability
If a safety device is added to compensate for pressure sensor malfunction, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the control unit to perform multiple functions: it processes the primary pressure sensor signal for normal water level control and simultaneously monitors for malfunction conditions to activate the blocking mechanism. This multi-functional approach avoids adding separate dedicated safety components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the safety device functions into the existing pressure sensor assembly. The blocking part is integrated within the sensor housing, and the control unit combines both measurement and safety functions in a single electronic component, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 prevents excessive or insufficient water supply, ensuring a reliable washing process, protecting the washing machine's electronic components and prolonging its lifespan by maintaining a uniform water level and preventing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a metal core mounted on an upper surface of the diaphragm through a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
a second sensing part mounted on an upper side of the space part to sense maximum and minimum positions of the measurement part
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for guarding a pressure sensor for a washing machine is provided, which adjusts the water level required to wash laundries. The apparatus for guarding a pressure sensor includes a diaphragm built in a space part of a housing to operate in accordance with the water pressure of washing water being supplied through an inlet, a metal core mounted on an upper surface of the diaphragm through a coil spring, a first sensing part installed in a moving path of the metal core to output a signal required for adjustment of a water level of the washing water, a measurement part mounted on an upper surface of the metal core to ascend/descend along an operation path of the coil spring, a second sensing part mounted on an upper side of the space part to sense maximum and minimum positions of the measurement part, and a controller outputting a blocking signal to an inlet path of the inlet. According to the apparatus for guarding a pressure sensor, washing water more than or less than a prescribed amount is prevented from being supplied to the washing machine, and thus a uniform washing process is performed to improve the reliability of the washing machine. Also, the damage or corrosion of electric/electronic sub assembly of the washing machine due to the overflow of the washing water is prevented to prolong the lifespan of the washing machine.