Undercounter appliance drain pan
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain pans are ineffective for undercounter appliances like dishwashers and icemakers, as they cannot be lifted into position due to their design, leading to potential flooding and damage from leaks.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile appliance drain pan with a central depression and support ledges allows undercounter appliances to be slid into place, capturing and diverting water through a drain hole, with the depression projecting downward into an installation hole in the flooring to increase water-holding capacity without the need for higher walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional drain pan with four upwardly projecting walls is used, then water containment is improved, but appliance installation becomes impossible for undercounter appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is segmented into a shallow tray portion and a deeper well portion, with the tray forming a rim around the well. This segmentation allows the appliance to rest on the rim while the well contains water, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and water containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar pan with vertical walls to a three-dimensional structure with a central well that projects downward below the pan level. This dimensional change increases water containment capacity without increasing the profile height, enabling undercounter appliance installation.
2Ease of operation
If a drip pan with no front wall is used, then appliance installation is improved, but water damage protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is segmented into a shallow tray portion and a deeper well portion, with the tray forming a rim around the well. This segmentation allows the appliance to rest on the rim while the well contains water, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and water containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful forward flow of leaking water into a beneficial contained pool within the well. The rim structure redirects water that would otherwise flow forward onto the floor into the central well, transforming a damage risk into an contained situation.
3Reliability
If higher walls are added to increase water-holding capacity, then water containment is improved, but appliance installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar pan with vertical walls to a three-dimensional structure with a central well that projects downward below the pan level. This dimensional change increases water containment capacity without increasing the profile height, enabling undercounter appliance installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pan is segmented into a shallow tray portion and a deeper well portion, with the tray forming a rim around the well. This segmentation allows the appliance to rest on the rim while the well contains water, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and water containment.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance drain pan comprises a continuous upturned rim around an outer edge of the drain pan, the rim having a top edge; horizontal left and right side support ledges enclosed by the rim; and a central depression between the horizontal left and right side support ledges. The central depression is deeper than side support ledges relative to the top edge of the rim. At least a portion of the central depression extends under at least a portion of each of the side support ledges.