Air Conditioning Unit Baffle System for Cable Car Cabin Water Spitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning units in cable car cabins experience the 'spitting' phenomenon, where water droplets produced by the evaporator can damage electrical components and spread into the cabin, leading to inefficiencies and passenger discomfort, despite existing solutions like hydrophilic fins and foam-type cellular media failing to completely prevent this issue.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning unit design featuring a baffle system with a first and second deflector arranged between the evaporator and blower to deflect air flows, capturing water droplets and guiding them to the lower wall for accumulation and recovery, combined with an absorbent element like honeycomb felt to reduce water content in the air flow, and a condensation water recovery tank for efficient evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrophilic fins and condensate tray are used to capture water droplets, then water collection is improved, but spitting phenomenon cannot be completely prevented
Solution Approach 1:
A baffle is introduced as an intermediary element between the evaporator and the condensate tray/blower. This baffle intercepts water droplets carried by the air flow before they can reach the blower or escape through the outlet, redirecting them to the condensate tray for collection. This intermediate structure effectively bridges the gap between droplet generation and collection, preventing spitting while maintaining cooling efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If foam-type alveolar medium is placed at evaporator outlet to collect water droplets, then droplet capture is enhanced, but complete spitting prevention is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle serves as a mechanical intermediary that physically blocks and redirects water droplets. Unlike foam media that relies on surface tension and capillary action, the baffle provides a solid barrier that intercepts droplets in the air flow, guiding them downward to the condensate tray. This mechanical intervention more reliably prevents droplets from reaching the blower or outlet.
3Temperature
If evaporator operates at low temperatures to cool air, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water droplet production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle system converts the harmful effect of increased water droplet production (at low evaporator temperatures) into a manageable flow pattern. By intercepting and redirecting these droplets to the condensate tray, the system transforms what would be damaging spitting into a controlled collection process, allowing the evaporator to operate at optimal low temperatures for efficient cooling.
4Reliability
If baffle is introduced to prevent droplets from reaching blower, then equipment protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the air conditioning unit is segmented into distinct zones by the baffle: a first region between the evaporator and baffle where droplets are generated, and a second region between the baffle and blower/outlet where protected equipment resides. This segmentation isolates the blower and electrical components from water droplets while maintaining a simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle introduces a spatial dimension (a vertical or diagonal barrier plane) to the horizontal air flow path. By positioning the baffle to extend from the evaporator toward the blower at an angle or vertically, it creates a three-dimensional flow pattern that redirects droplets downward to the condensate tray while allowing cooled air to continue to the blower, protecting equipment without blocking the cooling function.
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
Effectively prevents water droplets from reaching the blower and other electrical equipment, reducing damage and passenger exposure, while ensuring efficient air conditioning by capturing and recovering condensation water, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of the air conditioning unit.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (30) mounted in said first compartment and adapted to receive a flow of ambient air via an air inlet grille (31), to cool said received air flow by evaporation of a refrigerant liquid
Implementation Method 2
The change of state of the liquid refrigerant into vapor consumes calories and allows the heat to be absorbed from the ambient air to cool it
Implementation Method 3
the first deflector and the second deflector being arranged between the outlet of the evaporator and the blower so as to form a baffle for deflecting the air flow leaving the evaporator... guiding them in the form of droplets to the lower wall where they can accumulate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Air conditioning unit (1), particularly for a cable car cabin, comprising a casing (10), said casing (10) comprising a first compartment (10-1) in which an evaporator (30) is mounted and a second compartment (10-2) fluidly connected to the first compartment (10-1) via an opening and in which a blower (40) is mounted, said evaporator (30) being adapted to cool an airflow (F) received by evaporation of a refrigerant liquid and to convey the cooled airflow (F) to the second compartment (10-2) via said opening, the second compartment (10-2) comprising a first deflector (13) for the airflow (F) exiting the evaporator (30) and a second deflector (14) for the airflow (F) exiting the evaporator (30), said first deflector (13) and said second deflector (14) being disposed between the outlet of the evaporator (30) and the blower (40) so as to form a baffle to deflect the airflow (F) exiting the evaporator (30).