A refrigerated case with a defrost water drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated cases face issues with frost accumulation on evaporators, which blocks airflow, and existing defrost methods often result in inefficient evaporation of defrost water, requiring additional heating and complex drainage systems.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated case design featuring a water trap vessel with a segmented rim flange and molded plastic construction, including a drain pipe with a lower outlet and multiple threaded fasteners for secure and removable installation, facilitating efficient evaporation and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a water trap vessel with segmented rim flange is used, then ease of installation and removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rim flange is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the vessel to be easily installed by simply lowering it into place and removed by lifting it straight up, while the segmented structure itself provides the retention mechanism through slots that receive fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented rim flange structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the vessel, creates retention slots for fasteners, and enables both secure mounting and easy removal. The same structural elements accomplish both retention and release functions.
2Reliability
If threaded fasteners are used to secure the water trap vessel, then reliability of retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded fasteners are pre-positioned in the rim flange segments during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for alignment operations during installation - the vessel is simply lowered into place and the pre-positioned fasteners automatically engage with the slots, providing secure retention without complex assembly steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If the water trap vessel is made from molded plastic, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap vessel combines molded plastic construction with metal threaded fasteners. The plastic provides ease of manufacturing and corrosion resistance, while the metal fasteners provide the necessary mechanical strength and retention force. This composite approach leverages the advantages of both material types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances evaporation efficiency by allowing easy installation and removal of the water trap vessel, promoting effective drainage and reducing frost accumulation, while also simplifying maintenance and improving packaging efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerant-air heat exchanger is along a refrigerant flowpath and within the air flowpath
Implementation Method 2
Water from the air condenses on the evaporator and may freeze
Implementation Method 3
Water from the air condenses on the evaporator and may freeze
Implementation Method 4
The defrost operation produces melt water which may pass to a drain and be collected in a pan or other vessel
Implementation Method 5
The sponge elements wick water out of the vessel and expose them to air along a large surface area
Implementation Method 6
a defrost mode is initiated. Exemplary defrost modes may include use of an external heating element (e.g., an electric resistance element) to heat the evaporator and melt the frost
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A refrigerated case (20) has a body (22). The body has a refrigerated compartment (24) and an air flowpath (100). The body includes a lower wall (156) below the air flowpath. A drain pipe (150) protrudes from the lower wall and has a lower outlet (166). A refrigerant air heat exchanger (72) is along a refrigerant flowpath and within the air flowpath. The body further includes a water trap vessel (152) having an upper end (176) secured to the base, a lower portion (174) surrounding the drain outlet, at least one vessel outlet (170) above the drain outlet, and a segmented rim flange. The body includes a plurality of features (240) engaging an underside of the flange along respective segments to vertically and laterally retain the water trap vessel and permit removal of the vessel via a rotation of the vessel.