Front-Loading Washer Leak Channel for Front Panel Water Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with front-loading designs fail to effectively monitor and collect significant amounts of leaking water from the front wall, leading to potential damage as the leaks often go unnoticed until substantial water accumulation occurs, which can cause harm.
Innovation Solution
A method and device are implemented to collect and direct leaking water from the front wall into an existing collection device on the floor, utilizing a water-catching mechanism integrated into the front wall flap that channels water downward into the interior space, where it can be safely drained and signaled to the user through an electrical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a leak water collection device is installed inside the washing machine, then leaks from internal water supply systems and connections can be detected, but leaks from the front wall opening remain undetected until significant water accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends leak detection from the internal three-dimensional space to the external front wall surface by adding a downwardly extending channel structure. This channel creates a new detection dimension that captures water leaking from the front wall opening before it accumulates on the floor, thereby resolving the blind spot in leak detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The downwardly extending channel acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between the front wall opening and the internal leak collection device. It intercepts leaking water and directs it to the collection device, enabling detection of external leaks that would otherwise remain undetected by the internal sensing system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the front wall opening is sealed to prevent water escape, then water leakage to the exterior is reduced, but access to internal components near the floor is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The front wall structure is segmented into a removable flap portion and a fixed housing portion. The flap can be detached to provide access to internal components near the floor, while the main housing remains sealed. This segmentation allows both leak prevention and maintenance access requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The downwardly extending channel is pre-installed as part of the front wall structure before the machine enters service. This preliminary configuration ensures leak protection is already in place, and the removable flap design is prepared in advance to facilitate future maintenance access without requiring structural modifications.
3Reliability
If a downwardly extending water-catching channel is added to the front wall, then leaking water from the front wall can be collected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The downwardly extending channel is merged with the existing front wall structure and integrated into the removable flap assembly. Rather than being a separate added component, it becomes part of the front wall's existing geometry, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still providing the necessary leak collection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable flap structure serves multiple functions: it provides access to internal components when removed, and it incorporates the downwardly extending channel to collect leaking water when in place. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall 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 solution allows for the early detection and containment of leaking water, preventing damage by routing it harmlessly into the collection device and triggering a warning signal when sufficient accumulation occurs, thereby mitigating the risk of water-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a device (4) is arranged in an opening (45) of a housing (50) and is suitable for catching water running down onto the device from above
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for preventing damage caused by leaked water escaping from an area in the vicinity of the front panel (51) of the housing (50) of a front-loading washing machine comprising a collection device (53) for leaked water that is located on the base. The aim of the invention is to capture and collect the quantity of leaked water, before any damage can occur in the area surrounding the washing machine. To achieve this, at least part of the leaked water escaping from the area in the vicinity of the front panel (51) is captured by a unit (4) and guided into the collection device (53). A front-loading washing machine for carrying out said method comprises a collection device (53) for leaked water, located on the base (52), and a passage (45) in the housing (50) of the washing machine, located in the vicinity of the base, permitting access to parts (62) in the interior of the washing machine lying in the vicinity of the base. According to the invention, the passage (45) is equipped with a unit (4) that is suitable for capturing water (55) flowing from above onto said unit (4) and that is designed to guide captured water into the collection device (53) located on the base (52), when the machine is horizontal.