Liquid Reservoir Float Cage Assembly for Visible Level Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid reservoir designs for home appliances, such as laundry dryers and dishwashers, face challenges in assembling and maintaining a liquid level detection system that is both efficient and user-friendly, often requiring separate components and complex assembly steps for the guiding device of the floating element.
Innovation Solution
A liquid reservoir design featuring a guiding cage formed by two shell parts that trap the floating element during assembly, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and allowing visual or detector-based monitoring of the liquid level through a transparent element, which is integrated into the reservoir's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate guiding device is used for the floating element, then the liquid level detection function is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device is merged with the reservoir shell by forming guiding elements directly on the shell parts. The first shell part has a first guiding element and the second shell part has a second guiding element, which together form a cage structure that guides the floating element. This integration eliminates separate assembly steps for the guiding device while maintaining the liquid level detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir shell parts serve multiple functions: they contain the liquid, provide structural support, and incorporate guiding elements for the floating element. The guiding elements formed on the shell parts serve both as structural features and as functional components for guiding the floating element during liquid level changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guiding device is assembled separately, then component flexibility is maintained, but the risk of component misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding elements are formed directly on the shell parts during manufacturing, ensuring precise and consistent positioning. The first guiding element on the first shell part and the second guiding element on the second shell part are positioned relative to each other to form an accurate cage structure, eliminating the risk of misplacement that would occur with separate assembly.
3Ease of operation
If a transparent element is integrated into the reservoir, then user visibility of liquid level is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent element is integrated into one of the shell parts, combining the structural function of the shell with the visual inspection function. This allows users to observe the liquid level and the floating element through the transparent portion while maintaining the overall manufacturing efficiency by reducing the number of separate components.
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 design simplifies the assembly process, enhances user visibility of the liquid level, and reduces the risk of component misplacement, while ensuring accurate detection and monitoring of the liquid level without external connections or additional assembly steps.
Implementation Method 1
a floating element (e.g. a floater) arranged within the reservoir and adapted to float on the liquid in the reservoir and to indicate the liquid level
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid reservoir (60, 62) for a domestic home appliance, in particular for a laundry treatment apparatus or dishes treatment apparatus, wherein the liquid reservoir is adapted to store liquid therein and comprises: a floating element (116) adapted to float on the liquid in the reservoir and to indicate the liquid level at least over a portion of the liquid level range in the reservoir; and a guiding device (124) forming a cage for the floating element (116) within the liquid reservoir (60, 62) and adapted to define the movement path of the floating element during liquid level change in the liquid reservoir at least along the portion of the liquid level range. According to the invention, the liquid reservoir (60, 62) comprises a container (62) formed by or essentially formed by a front or first shell part and a rear or second shell part joined together to form the container or the essential part thereof; the guiding device (124) for guiding the floating element along its movement path during liquid level changes is formed by at least one first guiding element (68) formed at the front or first shell part (64) and by at least one second guiding element (118) formed at the rear or second shell part (66); and the first and second guiding elements (68, 118) together form the or at least a portion of the cage (124) for the floating element (116) preventing an escape of the floating element from the cage along the movement path of the floating element.