Wash Basket Foreign Object Trap for Pump Protection and Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foreign objects such as buttons, coins, and stones can interfere with the operation of laundry treating appliances by obstructing water flow and potentially damaging pumps, and existing solutions for collecting these objects lead to reduced flow rates and odor issues.
Innovation Solution
A foreign object trap is integrated into the wash basket with outlet openings that are not at a right angle to the axis of rotation, allowing liquid and small foreign objects to pass through while preventing larger objects from reaching the pump, ensuring proper operation and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foreign objects are collected and held in the wash basket, then pump damage is prevented, but water flow paths become obstructed and flow rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into multiple trap chambers (first trap chamber, second trap chamber, third trap chamber) that are spatially separated and functionally distinct. Each chamber handles different aspects of foreign object separation, allowing water to flow through multiple paths simultaneously while foreign objects are captured in specific zones, thus maintaining flow rates while protecting the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary structures including a filter element in the first trap chamber, a second outlet opening in the second trap chamber, and a third outlet opening in the third trap chamber. These intermediaries allow water to pass through while progressively filtering out foreign objects, maintaining water flow while preventing pump damage.
2Reliability
If foreign objects are collected and held, then pump damage is prevented, but collected materials deteriorate with time and cause odor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts foreign objects from the main water flow path by directing them into separate trap chambers through angled outlet openings. The first outlet opening directs foreign objects to the first trap chamber, while the second and third outlet openings provide additional extraction paths. This separation removes foreign objects from the environment where they would deteriorate and cause odor.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap chambers are designed to collect and hold foreign objects in isolated compartments (first trap chamber, second trap chamber, third trap chamber) where they can be discarded separately from the water system. This prevents deteriorating materials from being redistributed on clothing or causing odor in the wash basket.
3Reliability
If foreign objects are collected and held, then pump damage is prevented, but additional materials accumulate that should be pumped down the drain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones with different functions: the first trap chamber captures larger foreign objects, the second trap chamber handles intermediate materials, and the third trap chamber manages smaller particles. Each zone has specific outlet openings angled at different orientations to selectively pass through materials that should drain while trapping those that would damage the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet openings are configured with dynamic flow paths that allow water and drainable materials to pass through during the wash cycle. The first outlet opening, second outlet opening, and third outlet opening are positioned to allow continuous flow of appropriate materials to the drain while foreign objects are progressively trapped in the respective chambers.
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
The foreign object trap effectively prevents damage to the pump and maintains flow rates by allowing small objects to be directed to the drain, reducing the risk of obstruction and odor accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
A foreign object trap is provided in the portion of the bottom of the wash basket and has at least one outlet opening with a first portion that is not at a right angle to the axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance having a tub a defining an interior, a wash basket within the interior and having a bottom from which extends a peripheral wall to at least partially define a laundry treating chamber, a clothes mover located within the laundry treating chamber in an overlying relationship to at least a portion of the bottom of the wash basket, and rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a foreign object trap located in the portion of the wash basket defines a foreign object passageway for retaining foreign objects, the foreign object trap having at least one outlet opening with a first portion that is not at a right angle to the axis of rotation.