Water tray and household appliances

Abstract

The present invention provides a water receiving tray, which includes a heat-insulating tray body and a waterproof layer. The heat-insulating tray body has a water receiving groove, and the waterproof layer is arranged on the surface of the water receiving groove, and the waterproof layer contains a polyolefin material. The heat-insulating tray body has heat-insulating properties, so that the water receiving tray can collect condensed water without generating condensation; and the waterproof layer made of polyolefin material has excellent chemical corrosion resistance, and can effectively resist the swelling and dissolution effects of common chemical solvents such as esters, ethers, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, etc., preventing chemical solvents from continuing to penetrate into the heat-insulating tray body, thereby reducing the risk of water leakage in the water receiving tray. The present invention also provides a household appliance having the water receiving tray. Since the water receiving tray has good corrosion resistance, the household appliance equipped with the water receiving tray can be used in environments such as industry and food processing industries that are easily exposed to chemical solvents.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water receiving trays, in particular to a water receiving tray and a household appliance having the water receiving tray. Background Art

[0002] Air conditioners and other household appliances with heat exchangers are often equipped with a water pan to receive and collect condensed water dripping from the outer surface of the heat exchanger. Existing water pans usually consist of a pan body and a waterproof layer attached to the surface of the pan body, wherein the waterproof layer is mostly made of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) sheets by vacuum forming. However, HIPS and ABS materials and their products have poor resistance to chemical solvent corrosion. When air conditioners are used in environments that are easily exposed to chemical solvents, such as industry and food processing, chemical solvents such as esters, ethers, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons in the environment are easily soluble in water, causing the waterproof layer of the water pan to swell or dissolve, which can lead to leakage and failure of the water pan. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a water collecting pan, which aims to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the waterproof layer of the water collecting pan is easily corroded by chemicals and swells or dissolves, which eventually causes the water collecting pan to leak and fail.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water receiving tray, comprising:

[0005] a heat preservation tray having a water receiving trough; and

[0006] A waterproof layer is provided on the surface of the water receiving trough; wherein,

[0007] The waterproof layer contains polyolefin material.

[0008] In one embodiment, the waterproof layer includes a first waterproof layer, and the first waterproof layer is a polyolefin layer or a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer.

[0009] In one embodiment, the waterproof layer further includes a second waterproof layer, which is provided between the heat-insulating tray and the first waterproof layer, and the second waterproof layer is a high-impact polystyrene layer or a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer.

[0010] In one embodiment, the total thickness of the waterproof layer is 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0011] In one embodiment, the total thickness of the waterproof layer is 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0012] In one embodiment, the thickness of the first waterproof layer accounts for 5%-95% of the total thickness of the waterproof layer.

[0013] In one embodiment, the polyolefin layer is a polyethylene layer, a polypropylene layer, or a polyethylene / polypropylene alloy layer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the polyolefin and high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is a polyethylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer, or a polypropylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer, or a polyethylene / polypropylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is prepared by mixing 25 to 70 parts by weight of polyolefin, 20 to 60 parts by weight of high-impact polystyrene, and 5 to 25 parts by weight of a compatibilizer.

[0016] In one embodiment, the heat-insulating tray is made of expanded polystyrene.

[0017] In one embodiment, the waterproof layer is adhered to the surface of the water receiving trough by heat pressing.

[0018] In one embodiment, the heat preservation tray body is further provided with a drainage hole, and a water hole is provided at a position corresponding to the waterproof layer and the drainage hole, and the water receiving trough, the water hole and the drainage hole are connected in sequence.

[0019] The present invention further provides a household appliance, wherein a heat exchanger and the water receiving tray are installed in the household appliance, and the water receiving tray is arranged below the heat exchanger.

[0020] In one embodiment, the household appliance is an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.

[0021] The present invention provides a water receiving tray, which includes a heat-insulating tray body and a waterproof layer. The heat-insulating tray body has a water receiving groove, and the waterproof layer is arranged on the surface of the water receiving groove, and the waterproof layer contains a polyolefin material. The heat-insulating tray body has heat-insulating properties, so that the water receiving tray can collect condensed water without generating condensation; and the waterproof layer made of polyolefin material has excellent chemical corrosion resistance, and can effectively resist the swelling and dissolution effects of common chemical solvents such as esters, ethers, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, etc., preventing chemical solvents from continuing to penetrate into the heat-insulating tray body, thereby reducing the risk of water leakage in the water receiving tray. The present invention also provides a household appliance having the water receiving tray. Since the water receiving tray has good corrosion resistance, the household appliance equipped with the water receiving tray can be used in environments such as industry and food processing industries that are easily exposed to chemical solvents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of a water receiving tray of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a waterproof layer in a water receiving tray shown;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the waterproof layer in the water receiving tray is shown.

[0026] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0027] Label name Label name 10 Insulation tray 20 waterproof layer 21 First waterproof layer 22 Second waterproof layer

[0028] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but they must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0031] The present invention provides a water collecting pan for use in household appliances with heat exchangers, such as air conditioners, with the aim of improving the water collecting pan's resistance to chemical corrosion and preventing water leakage due to chemical corrosion, making the pan suitable for environments that are easily exposed to chemical solvents, such as industry and food processing.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the water receiving tray includes a heat preservation tray body 10 and a waterproof layer 20. The heat preservation tray body 10 has a water receiving groove. The waterproof layer 20 is provided on the surface of the water receiving groove and contains polyolefin (PO) material.

[0033] It should be noted that polyolefins refer to polymers of olefins. They are a general term for thermoplastic resins derived from the polymerization or copolymerization of α-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene, as well as certain cycloolefins. Polyolefins have excellent chemical resistance, electrical insulation, and mechanical strength.

[0034] The prior art only considers that the water receiving tray needs to have good impact resistance to withstand the long-term impact of condensed water. Therefore, a waterproof layer is added to the surface of the tray, and the waterproof layer is usually made of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) material or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) material with good impact resistance. However, the present invention found that when the air conditioner with the above-mentioned water receiving tray is used in a chemical plant or a food processing plant, the waterproof layer of the above-mentioned water receiving tray is prone to swelling or dissolution, thereby causing the water receiving tray to leak and fail. This is because HIPS and ABS materials and their products have poor resistance to chemical solvent corrosion. When the air conditioner is used in an environment that is easily exposed to chemical solvents, such as the chemical industry and food processing, chemical solvents such as esters, ethers, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons in the environment will dissolve in water and gradually corrode the waterproof layer, causing the water receiving tray to be damaged and leak.

[0035] The present invention provides a water receiving tray, which includes an insulating tray body 10 and a waterproof layer 20. The insulating tray body 10 has a water receiving groove, and the waterproof layer 20 is arranged on the surface of the water receiving groove, and the waterproof layer 20 contains a polyolefin material. The insulating tray body 10 makes the water receiving tray have good thermal insulation performance and can prevent condensation from forming on the outer surface of the water receiving tray. The waterproof layer 20 containing polyolefin has good chemical corrosion resistance and can effectively resist the swelling and dissolution effects of common chemical solvents such as esters, ethers, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons, preventing the solvent from continuing to penetrate into the insulating tray body 10, thereby reducing the risk of water leakage in the water receiving tray. Therefore, the water receiving tray provided by the present invention can collect condensed water without generating condensation, and has good chemical corrosion resistance, preventing the water receiving tray from leaking due to chemical corrosion, so that household appliances such as air conditioners can be used in environments that are easily exposed to chemical solvents.

[0036] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the waterproof layer 20 includes a first waterproof layer 21, which is a polyolefin layer (PO layer) or a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer (PO / HIPS layer). It can be understood that in this embodiment, the waterproof layer 20 is a single-layer structure, and the single-layer waterproof layer 20 can be attached to the surface of the water receiving trough by hot pressing. Specifically, the waterproof layer 20 can be a polyolefin layer. In order to make the waterproof layer 20 obtain better toughness, rigidity and strength, the waterproof layer 20 can be a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer. In this way, the waterproof layer 20 not only has good chemical corrosion resistance, but also has good impact resistance. However, it is worth noting that the greater the proportion of polyolefin material in the waterproof layer 20, the better the chemical corrosion resistance of the waterproof layer 20. The chemical corrosion resistance of the waterproof layer 20 using a polyolefin layer is better than that of the waterproof layer 20 using a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer.

[0037] In another embodiment, Figure 3As shown, the waterproof layer 20 also includes a second waterproof layer 22, which is arranged between the insulation tray body 10 and the first waterproof layer 21. The second waterproof layer 22 is a high-impact polystyrene layer (HIPS layer) or a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer. In this embodiment, the waterproof layer 20 is a double-layer structure. In addition to the first waterproof layer 21 located at the outermost layer of the water receiving tray, a second water receiving layer is also provided between the insulation tray body 10 and the first water receiving layer. The function of the second water receiving layer is mainly to further strengthen the mechanical strength of the waterproof layer 20. Since the second waterproof layer 22 is not exposed to the outside and is not easily exposed to chemical solvents, the second waterproof layer 22 can be made of only high-impact polystyrene material. Of course, in other embodiments, the waterproof layer 20 can be a structure of three or more layers. The multi-layer structure is conducive to enhancing the rigidity and strength of the waterproof layer 20, but it will also increase the process difficulty and manufacturing cost. Specifically, when the waterproof layer 20 is a multi-layer structure, the thickness of the first waterproof layer 21 must account for 5%-95% of the total thickness of the waterproof layer 20 to ensure the overall corrosion resistance of the waterproof layer 20.

[0038] Specifically, the polyolefin and high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is made by mixing polyolefin, high-impact polystyrene, and a compatibilizer. Furthermore, the polyolefin and high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is made by mixing 25 to 70 parts by weight of polyolefin, 20 to 60 parts by weight of high-impact polystyrene, and 5 to 25 parts by weight of a compatibilizer. The compatibilizer is styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) or hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0039] Optionally, the polyolefin layer is a polyethylene layer (PE layer), a polypropylene layer (PP layer), or a polyethylene / polypropylene alloy layer (PE / PP layer). Polyethylene has excellent low-temperature resistance (minimum operating temperature can reach -100 to -70°C), good chemical stability, and resistance to corrosion by most acids and alkalis. It is insoluble in common solvents at room temperature and has low water absorption. Therefore, using a polyethylene layer as the waterproof layer 20 can provide the waterproof layer 20 with excellent chemical corrosion resistance, water resistance, and low-temperature resistance. Polypropylene can resist corrosion from acids, alkalis, saline solutions, and various organic solvents below 80°C, and also has high-strength mechanical properties and good high-wear processing properties. Therefore, using a polypropylene layer as the waterproof layer 20 can also provide the waterproof layer 20 with excellent chemical corrosion resistance.

[0040] Optionally, the polyolefin and high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is a polyethylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer (PE / HIPS layer), a polypropylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer (PP / HIPS layer), or a polyethylene / polypropylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer (PE / PP / HIPS layer). In this embodiment, the polyolefin includes one or both of polyethylene and polypropylene. Therefore, correspondingly, the polyolefin and high-impact polystyrene alloy layer (PO / HIPS layer) can be an alloy layer formed by mixing PE and HIPS, or an alloy layer formed by mixing PP and HIPS, or an alloy layer formed by mixing PE, PP, and HIPS.

[0041] Optionally, the total thickness of the waterproof layer 20 is 0.5 mm to 3 mm. Furthermore, the total thickness of the waterproof layer 20 is 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. It is understood that the thickness of the waterproof layer 20 should be within an appropriate range. When the waterproof layer 20 is thin, the blister processing is easy and the processing efficiency is high, but the impact resistance of the waterproof layer 20 is poor. When the waterproof layer 20 is thick, the impact resistance of the waterproof layer 20 is high, but the softening process takes a long time, resulting in low processing efficiency and high material costs.

[0042] In one embodiment, the heat-insulating tray 10 is made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Expanded polystyrene has low thermal conductivity and low water absorption. Therefore, the heat-insulating tray 10 made of EPS can provide the water receiving tray with excellent heat-insulating and waterproof properties, thereby effectively preventing condensation from forming during the water receiving tray's collection process.

[0043] In one embodiment, the heat-insulating tray 10 is further provided with a drainage hole, and a water-passing hole is provided at a position corresponding to the drainage hole in the waterproof layer 20, so that the water receiving trough, the water-passing hole, and the drainage hole are sequentially connected. It is understood that in other embodiments, the heat-insulating tray 10 may not be provided with a drainage hole. By connecting the water inlet of a water pump to the water receiving trough, condensed water collected in the water receiving trough can be pumped out and drained.

[0044] The manufacturing process of the water tray of the present invention is as follows: The waterproof layer 20 is formed by vacuum forming a plate or sheet material according to the shape of the heat-insulating tray body 10. The waterproof layer 20 is then attached to the surface of the water receiving trough of the heat-insulating tray body 10 by heat pressing. If the waterproof layer 20 has multiple layers, each layer of the waterproof layer 20 is formed separately and then heat-pressed sequentially to the outer surface of the water receiving trough.

[0045] The manufacturing method, chemical corrosion resistance and mechanical strength of the water receiving tray of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0046] Example 1:

[0047] This embodiment provides a water receiving tray with a waterproof layer 20 being a PE layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: a PE layer with a thickness of 0.8 mm is attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the heat-insulating tray body 10 by hot pressing.

[0048] Example 2:

[0049] This embodiment provides a water receiving tray in which the waterproof layer 20 is a PE / HIPS alloy layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: PE, SEBS and PS are mixed in a weight ratio of 55:10:35 to obtain a PE / HIPS alloy material, and then the PE / HIPS alloy material is formed into a 0.8 mm PE / HIPS alloy layer by vacuum forming. Finally, the PE / HIPS alloy layer is hot-pressed and attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the insulation tray body 10.

[0050] Example 3:

[0051] This embodiment provides a water receiving tray with a waterproof layer 20 being a PP layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: a PP layer with a thickness of 0.8 mm is attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the heat-insulating tray body 10 by hot pressing.

[0052] Example 4:

[0053] This embodiment provides a water receiving tray in which the waterproof layer 20 is a PE / PP alloy layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: PE and PP are mixed in a weight ratio of 30:70 to obtain a PE / PP alloy material, and then the PE / PP alloy material is formed into a 0.8 mm PE / PP alloy layer by vacuum forming, and finally the PE / PP alloy layer is hot-pressed and attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the insulation tray body 10.

[0054] Example 5:

[0055] This embodiment provides a water receiving tray in which the waterproof layer 20 is a PP / HIPS alloy layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: PP and PS are mixed in a weight ratio of 60:10:30 to obtain a PP / HIPS alloy material, and then the PP / HIPS alloy material is formed into a 0.8 mm PP / HIPS alloy layer by vacuum forming. Finally, the PP / HIPS alloy layer is hot-pressed and attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the insulation tray body 10.

[0056] Example 6:

[0057] This embodiment provides a water receiving tray in which the waterproof layer 20 is a PP / PE / HIPS alloy layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: PP, PE and PS are mixed in a weight ratio of 40:25:5:30 to obtain a PP / PE / HIPS alloy material, and then the PP / PE / HIPS alloy material is formed into a 0.8 mm PP / PE / HIPS alloy layer by vacuum forming. Finally, the PP / PE / HIPS alloy layer is hot-pressed and attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the insulation tray body 10.

[0058] Comparative Example 1:

[0059] The waterproof layer 20 of the water receiving tray of the comparative example is a HIPS layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: a HIPS layer with a thickness of 0.8 mm is attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the heat-insulating tray body 10 by hot pressing.

[0060] Comparative Example 2:

[0061] The waterproof layer 20 of the comparative example water receiving tray is an ABS layer. The manufacturing method of the water receiving tray is as follows: an ABS layer with a thickness of 0.8 mm is attached to the surface of the water receiving groove of the heat-insulating tray body 10 by hot pressing.

[0062] 50 ml of dichloromethane and 50 ml of ether lubricant (commonly used in air-conditioning compressors) were added dropwise to the groove surface of the above sample. After 4 hours, the chemical corrosion resistance of the sample was observed. The test results are shown in Table 1.

[0063] Table 1. Test results of chemical corrosion resistance of samples

[0064]

[0065] The test results in Table 1 show that when a HIPS layer and an ABS layer are used as the waterproof layer 20 of the water receiving tray, dripping dichloromethane and an ether lubricant onto the waterproof layer 20 partially dissolves the waterproof layer 20 and further corrodes the insulation tray body 10. However, when a PE layer, a PP layer, and a PE / PP alloy layer are used as the waterproof layer 20 of the water receiving tray, dripping dichloromethane and an ether lubricant onto the waterproof layer 20 does not cause any significant surface changes in the waterproof layer 20, indicating that the waterproof layer 20 is well resistant to corrosion by dichloromethane and an ether lubricant. However, when a PE / HIPS alloy layer, a PP / HIPS alloy layer, and a PP / PE / HIPS alloy layer are used as the waterproof layer 20 of the water receiving tray, dripping dichloromethane and an ether lubricant onto the waterproof layer 20 causes a slight loss of gloss on the surface of the waterproof layer 20, indicating that the waterproof layer 20 is resistant to corrosion by dichloromethane and an ether lubricant, but its corrosion resistance is inferior to that of the PE layer, the PP layer, and the PE / PP alloy layer.

[0066] The chemical corrosion resistance of the sample depends primarily on the material of the waterproof layer 20, while the thickness of the waterproof layer 20 affects the sample's processing and product strength. The following is a comparison of the strength and processing time of waterproof layers 20 of varying thicknesses. The sample strength is represented by the tensile breaking force measured at a rate of 50 mm / min for samples with a uniform width of 10 mm and a length of 150 mm but varying thicknesses.

[0067] Table 2. Tensile breaking force and heating time of waterproof layers of different thicknesses

[0068]

[0069] The test results in Table 2 show that when the waterproof layer 20 is thin, the blister process is easy, time-efficient, and efficient, but the product strength is poor. On the other hand, when the waterproof layer 20 is thick, it takes longer to soften, resulting in lower efficiency, but the product strength is higher and the cost is also higher. Therefore, the thickness of the waterproof layer 20 of the water tray should be selected to maximize processing efficiency and save material costs while ensuring the strength of the waterproof layer 20.

[0070] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a household appliance, comprising a heat exchanger and a water tray installed therein. The water tray is disposed below the heat exchanger and is used to receive and collect condensed water dripping from the heat exchanger. Optionally, the household appliance is an air conditioner or a dehumidifier. The specific structure of the water tray is similar to that of the above-described embodiments. Since this air conditioner utilizes all the technical solutions of all the above-described embodiments, it at least has all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above-described embodiments, and no further details will be given here.

[0071] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present invention description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water tray, characterized in that: The water receiving tray comprises: a heat preservation tray having a water receiving trough; and A waterproof layer is provided on the surface of the water receiving trough; wherein, The waterproof layer contains polyolefin material; The waterproof layer includes a first waterproof layer and a second waterproof layer; The second waterproof layer is provided between the heat-insulating tray and the first waterproof layer; The first waterproof layer and the second waterproof layer are sequentially attached to the surface of the water receiving trough by heat pressing; The first waterproof layer is a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer; The second waterproof layer is a high-impact polystyrene layer or a polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer; The polyolefin / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is prepared by mixing 25 to 70 parts by weight of polyolefin, 20 to 60 parts by weight of high-impact polystyrene and 5 to 25 parts by weight of a compatibilizer; The total thickness of the waterproof layer is 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm; the thickness of the first waterproof layer accounts for 5% to 95% of the total thickness of the waterproof layer.

2. The water receiving tray according to claim 1, wherein: The polyolefin and high-impact polystyrene alloy layer is a polyethylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer, or a polypropylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer, or a polyethylene / polypropylene / high-impact polystyrene alloy layer.

3. The water receiving tray according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The heat-insulating tray body is made of expanded polystyrene.

4. A household appliance, characterized in that: A heat exchanger and the water receiving tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3 are installed in the household appliance, and the water receiving tray is arranged below the heat exchanger.

5. The household appliance according to claim 4, wherein: The household appliance is an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.

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