Washing apparatus with sliding door provided with a device for collecting and draining water dripping from the door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing apparatuses with sliding doors often result in water dripping from the internal surface of the door when opened, leading to wet floors and potential leaks due to the lack of continuity between the door and tank, exacerbated by high water temperature and steam pressure.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a collection tank located below the door's internal surface to collect drips and a drain mechanism that automatically drains water when the door is closed, preventing overflow and maintaining collection when the door is open, utilizing a combination of activation and elastic means to control the drainage process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding door is used in the washing apparatus, then the door can be opened to allow access to the tank, but water drips from the lower edge of the door when opened and wets the floor
Solution Approach 1:
A collection tank is introduced as an intermediary component between the door and the floor to intercept and contain dripping water. The tank is positioned directly beneath the door's lower edge to catch water before it reaches the floor, effectively mediating the harmful effect of door-induced water dripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (dripping water) is extracted from the direct path to the floor by capturing it in the collection tank. The drainage mechanism then extracts the water from the tank and redirects it through a drain duct to the external environment, removing the harmful substance from the system.
2Extent of automation
If the collection tank is designed to automatically drain water, then manual emptying is eliminated, but the drainage mechanism adds device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage mechanism utilizes the dynamic state of the door (open/closed position) to automatically control water drainage. When the door is closed, gravity causes water to drain from the collection tank through the drain duct. When the door is open, the drainage is automatically prevented, eliminating the need for manual intervention while using a simple mechanical setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by using the door's own position and gravity to control the drainage process. The collection tank automatically drains when the door is closed and holds water when the door is open, without requiring external control mechanisms or manual operation.
3Reliability
If the collection tank is positioned below the door to collect drips, then water can be captured, but the tank structure increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The collection tank is merged with the door structure by being integrated into the door assembly. The tank is positioned directly beneath the door's lower edge and forms part of the door unit, combining the door's access function with the water collection function in a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection tank is nested within the door assembly structure, with the tank positioned inside or attached to the door framework. This nesting approach allows the tank to be housed within the existing door space, minimizing additional structural complexity while maintaining effective water collection.
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
Prevents floor wetting by effectively collecting and draining water, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing the risk of overflow, while being simple, robust, and economical in design.
Implementation Method 1
a drain mechanism, activation means and elastic means (illustrated in greater detail in the following) cooperating to automatically empty the collection tank 2 when door 1 is closed
Implementation Method 2
a collection tank 2, located below the lower edge of the internal surface 3 of door 1, cooperating with an underlying drain tank 4 for conveying the collected water to a drain system
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A washing apparatus with a sliding door (1) is provided with a collecting and draining device that prevents water dripping from the internal surface (3) of the door (1) from falling to the ground. This collecting and draining device comprises a collection tank (2) located below the internal surface (3) of the door (1), a drain mechanism (7, 9) which causes the drainage of water from the collection tank (2) when the door (1) is closed and does not cause the drainage of water when the door (1) is open, elastic means (11) biasing the drain mechanism to take said second configuration and activation means (12) capable to overcome the action of said elastic means (11) so as to force the drain mechanism to take said first configuration.