Device having a moisture sensor
OwnerPatrick H. Finninventor
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Abstract
Described herein is a device including a collection element having a base with an upper surface surrounded by one or more raised edges near a perimeter of the base, the upper surface having a concavity. The device has a sensor positioned in fluid communication with the concavity in the upper surface of the base. The sensor is configured to detect moisture and to trigger a notification of a user that moisture has been detected by the sensor. The user can be remote from the device and the notification triggered of the moisture detected can be sent remotely to the user. Related apparatus, system, methods and/or articles are described.
Claims14
A device, comprising:
- a removable drip pan forming a collection element comprising a base having an upper surface surrounded by one or more raised edges near a perimeter of the base, the upper surface having a concavity and an array of channels located within the concavity;
- and
- a sensor positioned within the concavity in the upper surface of the base and surrounded by the array of channels, the sensor configured to detect moisture and to trigger a notification of a user that moisture has been detected by the sensor,
- wherein each channel of the array of channels forms a shallow trough shaped into the upper surface to direct fluid collected in the collection element towards the sensor positioned within the concavity and surrounded by the array of channels.
A method of moisture detection using a removable drip pan, the method comprising:
- collecting an amount of fluid in a collection element configured to be positioned under an appliance and having a concavity in an upper surface and an array of channels located within the concavity;
- directing the amount of fluid along the array of channels located within the concavity of the collection element towards a moisture sensor positioned within the concavity and surrounded by the array of channels;
- detecting the amount of fluid with the moisture sensor;
- and
- triggering a notification to a user that the amount of fluid was detected;
- wherein the user is remote from the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.