Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A detector for detecting the level (12) of of water in a washing machine (2), the detector (10) comprising a sensor (18) for sensing a pneumatic pressure which, during use of the detector (10) in the washing machine (2), varies when the level (12) of water rises, characterised in that the detector (10) includes means (20) for electrically earthing water which has entered the space in which said pneumatic pressure varies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A detector for detecting the level (12) of of water in a washing machine (2), the detector (10) comprising a sensor (18) for sensing a pneumatic pressure which, during use of the detector (10) in the washing machine (2), varies when the level (12) of water rises, characterised in that the detector (10) includes means (20) for electrically earthing water which has entered the space in which said pneumatic pressure varies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A detector as claimed in Claim 1, including a conduit (16) communicating with said pressure sensor (18), said earthing means comprising electrically conductive means (20) disposed in, or forming at least part of, the conduit (16) and electrically connected during use to earth, so as electrically to earth water which has entered the conduit (16).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detector as claimed on Claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive means (20) comprises a metal tube (28) to which has been fixed means (30) for electrically earthing the tube (28).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A detector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the earthing means comprises a flange (30) having an aperture (32) permitting the flange (30) to be mechanically fixed to and electrically connected to an earthed component of the washing machine (2).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A detector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the earthing means comprises a standard electrical terminal (30) fixed to the tube (28).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A detector as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the terminal (30) is a spade terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A detector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive means (20) comprises a metal tube (36) insertable through an aperture in an earthed component (38) of the-washing machine (2), and having an integrally formed flange (48) by means of which the tube (36) can be attached to the edge of the aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A washing machine having a water level detector as claimed in any preceding claim.