GB2266396A

GB2266396A - Leak detector

Info

Publication number: GB2266396A
Application number: GB9208557A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Shackell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-04-21
Filing date: 1992-04-21
Publication date: 1993-10-27
Also published as: GB9208557D0

Abstract

A leak detector which can be fitted under automatic washing machines and also under any other machines where water leaks may occur, e.g. dishwashers, fridges, freezers, dryers, and any others. An electrical circuit activates a sensor in a tray under the machine when a leak occurs, and an audible warning is heard to alert the machine user. <IMAGE>

Description

TIT: I;SAK-DTECTOR This invention is a device to detect a leak from an automatic washing machine and which will sound an alarm to warn of the leak.

Many people own washing machines because it is more convenient than taking clothes to the launderette. Unlike years ago when machines had to be manually operated, automatic washing machines all have electronic cycles and there is no need to watch the machine, as it automatically moves from one programme to another. Therefore, these machines are used during the day and night and are left unattended, i.e. when the household is asleep, out shopping, at work, etc. These are the times when one is most vulnerable to unexpected domestic disasters. 8kost commonly leaks appear in the seal around the door at the front of the washing machine and at the back, where the water pipes are situated. It is common knowledge that many people have experienced such leaks, which are costly in time and money, and are highly dangerous.There is a very real danger of electrocution and from slipping on a wet floor.

It is acknowledged that the method of using water to 'complete' a circuit has been used before, i.e. in devices to detect bath water levels, but, as far as is known, this method has not been used to warn of a leak from a washing machine.

The components used are: Push-button switch Catch Tray Slide switch Sensor Variable resistor 2 transistors 4 resistors Buzzer Thyristor Battery Battery clip arhat is proposed is to use an electrical circuit to detect water leakages. The current comes from the battery and at the slide switch it either goes through the switch, if it is on, or it stops, if it is off. If it is,ón then the current flows to the battery indicator, either lighting it up or not. This will depend on whether the push-button switch is pushed down or not. If it is not pushed down, then the L.E.D. does not come on. If it is pushed down, then the L.E.D. does come on. Gnis is so the battery does not run down.If the battery indicator does not light up when the push-button switch is pushed down, then the battery is dead. The current then flows to the sensor and if it is wet the current flows through the sensor, but if the sensor is dry, the current stops. If it is wet then the current LmIAK-DEERCTOR CONT.

splits and half flows through the 1K resistor and on to the 2 transistors.

The rest flows to the variable resistor. The current that goes towards the buzzer is split just before the buzzer to protect it from too much current.

Now the buzzer will sound, because all the components in the circuit are activated. To stop the buzzing the reset button is pressed, so making a short circuit and cutting off the power supply to the buzzer and thyristor.

The sensor is in a tray which goes under the washing machine. It is slightly larger than the base of the machine, with sloping sides. The circuit is in a separate casing, to be fitted to the wall beside the machine.

There is an audible warning system on the device and, unlike a bath sensor which will just warn of the water level, it could be adapted and coupled with shutting down of the power within the washing machine when a leak occurs.

This audible warning device could be used on dish-washers, fridges, freezers, dryers, and any other machines where water leaks may occur.

Claims

1. A leak detector for use with automatic washing machines, but which could also be used with dish-washers, fridges, freezers, dryers, and any other machines where water leaks may occur, comprising a sensor tray which fits under the machine, and an electrical circuit, including an audible warning system, which has a separate casing and which fits on a wall beside the machine.

2. A leak detector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the current flows to the sensor, which if wet the current flows through, and if dry, it stops, with the current coming from a battery, with an on/off indicator.

3. A leak detector as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the current flows to the sensor, and if the sensor is wet, the current flows through, splits, with half the current flowing through the 1K resistor and on to two transistors; the rest flowing to the variable resistor.

4. A leak detector as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the buzzer sounds when all the components in the circuit are activated.

5. A leak detector as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the buzzer can be reset by pressing a button, making a short circuit and cutting off power to the buzzer and thyristor.

6. A leak detector as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the device could be adapted and coupled with the shutting down of the power within the machine when a leak occurs.

7. A leak detector substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.