Washing Machine Air Trap Baffle for Pressure Sensor Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residual moisture in washing machines can cause erroneous readings from pressure sensors due to capillary action, leading to improper water levels, especially during shipping and assembly, where temperature variations and orientation changes affect the air trap's functionality.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates an air trap with at least one baffle to block water, featuring a reservoir and a fail-safe reservoir design that prevents residual moisture from reaching the pressure sensor, ensuring accurate readings by maintaining an open air path and equalizing air and water pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the washing machine is shipped in a horizontal position or tilted from vertical, then shipping and assembly requirements are met, but residual moisture enters the air trap causing erroneous pressure sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrophobic barrier (intermediary material) within the air trap that selectively blocks water while allowing air passage. This intermediary component prevents residual moisture from reaching the pressure sensor during horizontal shipping or tilting, thereby maintaining sensor accuracy while enabling flexible shipping orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical-chemical properties of the air trap by incorporating a hydrophobic material with specific contact angle characteristics. This parameter change enables the material to repel water while permitting air flow, resolving the contradiction between allowing water entry (for normal operation) and preventing water entry (during horizontal shipping).
2Temperature
If temperature variations occur during shipping, then air volume expands and contracts producing a pumping effect, but this pumping effect moves residual moisture into the hose causing capillary trapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful pumping effect caused by temperature variations into a beneficial force by designing the air trap with a hydrophobic barrier positioned to intercept water during reverse flow. The temperature-induced pumping that would normally force water into the hose is instead directed against the hydrophobic material, which blocks water while allowing air to pass through the temperature fluctuations.
3Device complexity
If a simple air trap design is used, then device complexity is low, but residual moisture can reach the pressure sensor causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air trap into distinct functional zones: an air passage region and a water blocking region. The hydrophobic material creates a clear separation between air flow paths and water containment areas, allowing the simple overall structure to effectively prevent moisture from reaching the pressure sensor while maintaining low device complexity.
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 effectively prevents residual moisture from affecting pressure sensor readings, allowing for reliable operation and shipment in various orientations, including horizontal positions, by blocking water entry into the sensor and maintaining functional air pressure pathways.
Implementation Method 1
The residual moisture can become trapped, such as by capillary action, in the conduit leading to the pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine having a cabinet, a pressure sensor located in the cabinet, and an air trap having at least one baffle to substantially block water at the air trap. The air trap may have an inlet in communication with a sump of the washing machine and an outlet in communication with a hose coupled to the pressure sensor. The at least one baffle may be partially traversing the air trap to substantially block water from entering the outlet when the cabinet is in a horizontal orientation.