Transparent Liquid Reservoir With Dual-Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid reservoirs for home appliances, such as laundry treatment machines and dryers, lack effective liquid level monitoring systems that provide both visual and redundant detection methods, leading to potential overfilling and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid reservoir with a floating element guided by a cage within the reservoir, visible through a transparent section for user observation, and equipped with a detector for electronic level detection, ensuring accurate monitoring of liquid levels from the lowest to the highest level, including an overflow position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid reservoir uses a simple transparent window for visual liquid level indication, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the measurement precision and reliability of liquid level detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A floating element with a magnet serves as an intermediary between the liquid level (object to be measured) and the Reed relay detector. The float translates liquid level position into magnetic field position, enabling indirect but precise measurement through a mediator component that bridges the physical quantity being measured and the detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical visual indication system with a hybrid system incorporating magnetic field detection. The Reed relay detects the magnetic field of the floating element to provide electronic liquid level detection, substituting mechanical optical detection with magnetic field-based sensing for improved precision.
2Reliability
If a liquid reservoir equips both visual and electronic liquid level detection systems, then the reliability and measurement precision are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floating element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual indication through its position visible at the transparent window, generates a magnetic field for electronic detection by the Reed relay, and physically tracks the liquid level. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each detection method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the visual indication function and electronic detection function into a unified liquid level monitoring system. Both functions share the same floating element and detection zone, combining multiple detection mechanisms into a single integrated system rather than separate independent systems.
3Length of moving object
If the floating element is guided along the entire height of the reservoir, then the liquid level detection range is extended, but the guiding device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device provides guidance only in the critical detection zone where the Reed relay senses the magnetic field of the floating element. Full-height guidance is not implemented; instead, guidance is localized to the region where liquid level detection is most critical, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining detection accuracy in the important range.
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
Enhances liquid level monitoring by providing both visual and electronic detection, preventing overfilling and improving operational efficiency by ensuring accurate liquid management within the appliance.
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
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AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid reservoir (62) for a domestic home appliance, in particular for a laundry treatment apparatus or a dishes treatment machine, wherein the liquid reservoir (62) is adapted to store liquid therein and comprises: a floating element (116) adapted to float in the liquid in the reservoir (62) and to indicate the liquid level at least over a portion of the liquid level range in the reservoir (62); a guiding device (124) forming a cage for the floating element (116) within the liquid reservoir (62) and adapted to define the movement path of the floating element (116) during liquid level change in the liquid reservoir (62) at least along the portion of the liquid level range; and a liquid level indication unit having a detector unit (126) adapted to detect at least one position of the floating element (116). According to the invention at least a section of the liquid reservoir (62) comprises or is a transparent element (68) at a reservoir outer wall (64); and at least a portion of the movement path of the floating element (116) is guided by the guiding device (124) along the transparent element (68), such that the floating element (116) is visible by a user from laterally outside the liquid reservoir (62).