FI109268B - Washing machine shed - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective tray (2) for a washing machine, which is suitable for post-installing under the washing machine (1). The protective tray has a plastic bottom (11) and plastic sidewalls (12) and an internal water alarm (3) having at least a power supply, a sensor for detecting the presence of water and an audible signal device which is connected to give an audible alarm when said sensor is in contact with water. <IMAGE>

Description

109268

Washing machine pool - Skyddstrag för tvättmaskin

The invention relates to a washing machine protective basin.

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Washing machines in general, and dishwashers in particular, which are normally located in floor-less kitchen areas, now account for a significant proportion of water damage in residential apartments. Washing machines also cause these water damage, though to a lesser degree, as they are normally located in floor-to-ceiling areas such as bathrooms or utility rooms. Water damage can be sudden and severe if the washing machine inlet hose breaks or breaks or the washing machine's solenoid valve does not close properly for one reason or another. In all these cases, water damage and the resulting cost can be at least substantially reduced if the occupant closes a mandatory manual pressure shut-off valve in the manifold immediately after the onset of the sudden, severe leakage. no washing machine is used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for minimizing or at least minimizing water damage to dishwashers, washing machines, and the like from time to time with automatic, that is, airless, and standard exterior watercraft. Another object of the invention is to provide a version of such a device which could be installed by the layman himself, if necessary, as well as a version which would operate automatically, i.e. independently to minimize any water damage. A third object of the invention is to provide such a device which is reliable and long-lasting, but at the same price;

O 30 :: The problems described above can be reduced and the objects defined above are achieved by a protective pool according to the invention, which is characterized by what is defined in the characterizing part of claim 1.

'. 35 The main advantage of the invention is that the protective pool according to the invention alerts both to small leaks, allowing the occupant to repair / repair the washing machine M * · or its installations in time before major moisture damage occurs to the building, and sudden sudden leaks, immediately after the leakage of 2,109,268 leaks, the occupant may rapidly close the mandatory shut-off valve and / or take other measures to limit the extent of the water damage. Another advantage of the invention is that the protective pool according to it is, at its simplest price, negligible compared to a washing machine and does not require the use of an external installer 5. An additional benefit, however, is that the protection capacity of the pool can still be substantially increased, although in most cases the actual installation movement has to be used and the price increases slightly. Thus, different levels of security can be perceived by the user.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a retrofit protective basin according to the invention, placed under the washing machine, seen from the outside and in an axonometric view. The figure shows various possibilities of implementing a water alarm and its power supply.

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Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a more versatile embodiment of the shield water alarm according to the invention, which includes both a solenoid shut-off valve and a shield drain pump.

Fig. 3 illustrates a simple embodiment of a water pool alarm according to the invention and its mechanical structure in vertical section along plane I-I in Fig. 1.

Figures 4A-4D illustrate the use of different types of sensors in the water pool alarm of the invention, which respond to the presence of water.

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The invention thus relates to a protective sink or a sink assembly of a washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, but also of a washing machine or the like. The protective pool 2 according to the invention is preferably one piece and * ... '30 typically consists of plastic. Of course, there is nothing to prevent a protective pool »· · *., Other material such as metal, or other manufacturing techniques from plastic such as plastic sheeting from welding or gluing. The containment basin 2 has a tightly formed bottom Ilia and the edges 12, which are sized so that the enclosure is suitable for retrofitting under the washing machine 1. For this purpose a 'pool'. 35 the horizontal dimensions W2, D2 correspond to the horizontal dimensions W1 of the washing machine,

Dl. Specifically, the horizontal dimensions W2 and D2 of the basin are as close as possible to the horizontal dimensions of the space reserved for the dishwasher, for example: * * *. In this case, the dimensions W1 and D1 of the washing machine fit inside the outside dimensions of the protective pool 3,109,268 or at most the outer dimensions of the washing machine will coincide with the outer dimensions of the pool. The height H, e.g. 8-10 cm, of the sides 12 of the shielding basin 2 is dimensioned to correspond to at least one water volume of the washing machine, or preferably to two water volumes of the washing machine or more if space permits. In this case, the occupant usually has some time margin to respond to the alarm provided by the device of the invention. The bottom 11 of the shield basin has at least a lower surface 27a substantially planar, whereby this base 11 rests firmly on the floor surface, whereby the weight G of the washing machine is transmitted through the base 11 to the surface 30. Preferably the upper surface 27b of the base 11 is at least substantially planar The above planar property is to be understood as having a bottom acting surface 27a and / or a top surface 27b, but the bottom surface and the top surface itself may consist of e.g. a support rib which effectively forms a plane even if the waterproofing base portion differs significantly from the plane.

In particular, according to the invention, there is a water alarm 3 with at least a power supply 7, a water presence detector 6 and an acoustic signaling device 8 inside the containment 2, such that the acoustic signaling device 8 is connected to the sensor 6 and the power source 7. Such a simple water alarm is shown in Fig. 3 and in this case the water 20 alarm 3 is a separate component 3a to be placed on the bottom 11 of the basin 2. Said water alarm 3 has a housing and preferably has a concave lid 9 with a concave opening downwards, thus consisting of a top part 25a and downwardly facing edges 25b, which solution protects the electrical parts against leaking water. Water alarm 3 sound signaling device 8, power supply 7 and any other electronics 4 which can -,:. 25 may be connected to the coupling plate 26 or alternatively directly to the underside of the cover 9./. e.g. plastic part molded into the slots, it is structured to cover the inside of the upper portions of, for example, said upper portion 25a against which the operating time of the protective tray * I * '* flooding V is as long as possible. Since the height of the space below the various washing machines 1 '' may be different, it is advantageous to make the cover 9 movable or adjustable in the vertical direction P, so that the acoustic signaling device 8, power supply 7, and any other electronics 4 can be adjusted is to get them into the water as late as possible. The transducer 6 is again arranged in the lower part of the water alarm to be as close as possible to the interior of the basin. '": half bottom 11. As shown in Figure 3, the sensor can be positioned, for example, on the bottom flange 22 of the bottom of the water body 35, where it can detect the water V entering the containment as it rises * | ', that is, with a water layer thickness of 3 mm to 10 mm.

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Alternatively, the water alarm 3 may be a component 3b integrated into the containment basin 2, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. Again, the water alarm 3 preferably has all the same features as the water alarm consisting of a separate component 3a. In other words, the water alarm has the features 5 described in this specification, whether it is a separate component 3a or an integrated component 3b. The body of the separate water alarm 3 shown in Fig. 3 also includes a lower part consisting of a relatively wide bottom flange 22 on which the water alarm stands freely, with upwardly facing edges 23 on which the downwardly facing edges 25b of the lid 9 extend. In addition, the edges 23 of the lower portion have holes or slots 24 projecting upwardly from the bottom flange 22, which allow water V to flow into the bottom 11 of the basin 11 and further into the sensor 6.

The power supply 7 may be either a battery or a protective insulated power supply pressed into the mains socket 5. The battery may be located on the leading edge 12 and 15 of the pool and connected by wire to other parts of the water alarm, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 1, or to the water alarm 3 itself, as shown in Figure 3. If desired, the water alarm can be equipped with an additional alarm to inform the occupant of the need to replace the battery. The shielded mains power supply is used at least sil-20 when the solenoid shut-off valve 13 and / or drain pump 10 described below are incorporated into the water alarm according to the invention because they require such electrical power that reliability may not fully rely on batteries or multiple batteries.

The acoustic signaling device 8 is most preferably a piezo-electric buzzer because of its price Y '. low-cost, easy and relatively low current for strong * sound. By appropriately shaping and dimensioning the cover 9 described above, it can be caused to resonate at the frequency of the piezoelectric member, which amplifies the acoustic signal. Is . ': It is also possible to track the appropriate electronics 4 for the water alarm and connect it to a:: 30-person telephone line, whereupon the equipment calls and alarms the occupant's mobile / intercom. This alerting of a resident's mobile phone can also be traced back to what is known in the art. using blue-tooth technology.

The sensor 6 of the water alarm 3 is preferably of the type which detects water either by a change in capacitance AL between the electrodes 19 or by a change in the electrical resistance AR. The principle of a sensor detecting a change in capacitance AL is shown in FIG. 19 are inside the insulating plastic and there is a gap 18 between the electrodes so that the capacitance changes as water V enters

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5 109268 to this gap 18 and replacing air. First, the change in electrical resistance in the AR sensor 6 may be caused by the conversion of air in the gap 18 between the exposed metal electrodes 17 into water V in the sensor of Figure 4A, since the electrical conductivity of both pure tap water and used wash water is significantly higher. Thus, water "short circuits" the electrodes 17. Secondly, the change in the electrical resistance of the AR sensor 6 may be due to the higher thermal conductivity of the water surrounding the resistor element 20 compared to air such as shown in FIG. NTC- or so-called. PTC resistance 20 ("Negative / Positive Temperature Coefficient"). Such a sensor passes a continuous current of 10 which maintains its internal temperature at a certain value when it is surrounded by air and its ohmic resistance R is of a certain magnitude, but when the surrounding medium is converted into water that conducts heat away from resistor 20, the internal temperature also ohmic resistance. Third, the change in electrical resistance in the AR sensor 6 may be caused by contact between the electrodes 21 while removing the water-holding material 16. Figure 4D illustrates such a sensor in which the electrodes 21 are shaped as springs whose force tends to bring the electrodes into contact with each other. when blocked between electrodes by an electrically insulating but water-soluble body 16. When water V enters between the electrodes 21, the body 16 dissolves away, whereby the electrodes are spring-loaded by a spring force, causing a short-circuit between them. Suitable dimensioning may possibly make any sensor 6 based on capacitance change AL function as a sufficiently good switch without additional electronics 4 to cause a short circuit from the power supply 7 to the acoustic signaling device 8. However, the auxiliary electronics 4 is very simple and known per se; 25 it will not be described further here.

The protective vessel 2 may further comprise a drain pump 10 connected to the drain and / or a solenoid shut-off valve 13 which can be tracked in the inlet hose 14 of the washing machine.

1 The drain pump 10, which is activated by the water alarm 3 when it has arrived as described. ' 30 in contact with water V is placed at the bottom of the basin Ilya and its outlet hose

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15 is connected in some normal way to the drain. The solenoid valve 13, which the water alarm 3 closes upon contact with water V 'as described, is most preferably coupled between a fixed plumbing network 28 and a washing machine 1 "' supply water hose 14. The containment basin 2 may further comprise a flexible protective conduit 29 surrounding the washing machine inlet hose 35 14 and opening to the bottom 11 of the basin, i.e. open at its lower end, which leads to a water flush from the broken inlet hose for an alarm.

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Claims (8)

A washing machine protective funnel, suitable for retrofitting under the washing machine (1), comprising a bottom (11) and sides (12) and on the inside of the wood a water alarm device (3), with at least one power source (7 ), a detector (6) which detects the presence of the water and an audio signal device (8) and / or a drain pump (10) in connection with the drain, which is / are switched on to operate when said detector is in contact with the vat (V), characterized in that in said bottom (11) at least the bottom surface (27a) constitutes a substantially pile support surface, the weight of the washing machine (G) being transferred to the floor surface (30) via the bottom; that: * the height (H) of the sides is dimensioned to correspond to the water volume of the at least one filling of the washing machine; and that the protective funnel (2) further comprises a protective tube (29) which surrounds the washing machine's inlet water hose (14), which is the protective tube (29). · The lower end is open to the bottom of the protective funnel (11). > · · ·. Protective funnel according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal measurement (W2, D2) of the protective funnel corresponds to the horizontal measurement of the washing machine (W1, D1); and that the bottom (11) and sides (12) of the wood are plastic. 30 3. Protection funnel according to claim 1, characterized in that the water alarm device:: *: (3) is a single component (3a) to be placed on the bottom of the protective funnel, or: component (3b). * ;;; 35 Protective funnel according to claim 1, characterized in that the power source (7) is either '' a battery or a protective insulated power source, intended to be plugged into a mains wall socket (5). 109268 Protection bar according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio signal device (8) is a piezoelectric buzzer; and that said detector (6) is of a type that detects the water either by a change in the capacitance (AL) between the electrodes (19) or by a change in the electrical resistance (AR). 5 Protection funnel according to claim 5, characterized in that the detector (6) is of a type in which the change (AR) in the electrical resistance of the detector is caused by: - the air between the electrodes (17) being changed to water; or - in comparison with air, the greater heat conduction capacity of the water surrounding the resistor element (20); or - the contact that occurs between the electrodes (21) when the water eliminates a material which is separating them (16). Protective funnel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said water alarm device (3) has a downwardly concave opening-free lid (9) within which the audio signal device (8), the power source (7) and any other electronics (7) have been arranged at the top. 4); that the detector (6) is arranged to align as far as possible with the interior bottom (11) of the water alarm device; and that the lid can be mounted vertically (P). 20 8. A protective coating according to any of the above claims, characterized in that: •; : it additionally comprises a magnetic stop valve (13) which is mounted in the washing machine's inlet water hose (14). • · «* * * · i | | t * ·