Combined Water Level and Vibration Sensing for Washing Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines require separate water level and vibration sensing apparatuses, leading to increased costs and complexity, necessitating a single apparatus that can simultaneously and precisely sense both water level and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A water level/vibration sensing apparatus with a housing, pressure chamber, diaphragm unit, core, coil, and collision member that uses air pressure variations to measure water level and detects vibrations through a collision member striking the diaphragm unit, featuring a reception part with a restricting protrusion and tilt plane to facilitate precise sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate water level sensing apparatus and vibration sensing apparatus are installed, then sensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines water level sensing and vibration sensing functions into a single sensing apparatus. The diaphragm unit serves dual purposes: detecting water level through pressure changes and detecting vibration through collision events. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensing devices, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining sensing accuracy for both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality where the same components (housing, diaphragm unit, coil, core) perform multiple sensing functions. The diaphragm unit can detect both static water pressure levels and dynamic vibration impacts, making the apparatus universal for both water level and vibration sensing applications
2Device complexity
If a single sensing apparatus is used for both water level and vibration sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing apparatus segments the sensing functions into distinct detection mechanisms: the diaphragm unit detects water level through gradual pressure changes, while the collision member detects vibration through sudden impact events. This segmentation allows each function to be detected independently with appropriate precision, preventing one function from interfering with the other
Solution Approach 2:
The collision member acts as an intermediary that translates vibration energy into detectable signals by striking the diaphragm unit. This intermediary mechanism ensures that vibration detection does not compromise water level detection accuracy, as the collision member only activates during vibration events and returns to its original position afterward
3Adaptability or versatility
If collision member is added to detect vibration, then vibration sensing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collision member is nested within the existing sensing apparatus structure, specifically positioned in the pressure chamber where it can freely move and strike the diaphragm unit. This nested configuration adds vibration sensing capability without requiring a completely separate vibration sensing device, minimizing 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
The apparatus allows for simultaneous and precise sensing of water level and various vibrations, improving productivity and enabling early detection of washing machine malfunctions with a simple structure.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows expanded and contracted according to an air pressure transmitted through the air inlet
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm unit moving forward and backward according to the variation of a pressure in the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 3
a core and a coil forming a frequency varied according to the forward and backward movement of the diaphragm unit
Implementation Method 4
a collision member striking the diaphragm unit according to the movement of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a water level/vibration sensing apparatus and a washing machine having the same. The water level/vibration sensing apparatus includes a housing provided with a pressure chamber communicating with an air inlet, a diaphragm unit moving forward and backward according to the variation of a pressure in the pressure chamber, a core and a coil forming a frequency varied according to the forward and backward movement of the diaphragm unit, and a collision member striking the diaphragm unit according to the movement of the housing. Therefore, the water level/vibration sensing apparatus simultaneously senses the washing water level and the vibration of the washing machine.