Air Conditioner Drain Pan Partitioning to Prevent Water Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor air conditioner units face issues with water scattering from the drain pan due to air flow, leading to potential water entry into the indoor space.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit incorporates a drain pan with a partition wall that divides it into an inner and outer groove, with the outer groove having a steeper inclination than the inner groove, and communicating parts to direct water flow efficiently to the drain pump, preventing water level rise and scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the drain receiver is extended along the heat exchanger to receive condensation water, then water collection capability is improved, but water level rises at the downstream side causing waves and water scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The drain receiver is divided into multiple receiving portions (first, second, third portions) along the airflow direction, with each portion having different bottom inclination angles. This segmentation allows optimized water flow control in different zones, preventing water level rise and scattering while maintaining effective water collection throughout the heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the drain receiver are given different bottom inclination angles tailored to their specific functions: the first portion has a larger inclination for rapid water removal, the second portion has a moderate inclination for balanced flow, and the third portion has a smaller inclination for stable water level maintenance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between water collection and scattering prevention.
2Ease of operation
If the bottom of the drain receiver has a uniform inclination toward the drain pump, then water flow to pump is simplified, but water level rises at the downstream side causing waves
Solution Approach 1:
The drain receiver bottom is segmented into multiple sections with different inclination angles rather than using a uniform slope. This allows the system to maintain effective water flow toward the drain pump while preventing excessive water level rise and wave formation in any single zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom inclination angle parameter is varied across different portions of the drain receiver. By changing this geometric parameter locally, the system achieves both effective water flow control and water level stability, resolving the contradiction between simplified flow control and water level stability.
3Speed
If the drain receiver has a steep bottom inclination, then water flows quickly to the drain pump, but water scattering risk increases due to waves
Solution Approach 1:
The drain receiver is divided into portions with different inclination angles, allowing rapid water flow in upstream portions while maintaining gentler slopes in downstream portions. This segmentation enables the system to achieve fast water removal without creating excessive waves and scattering throughout the entire receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local zones of the drain receiver are assigned different bottom inclination angles appropriate to their function: steeper angles where rapid flow is needed, gentler angles where water level stability is critical. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between flow speed and scattering prevention.
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
This configuration effectively prevents water scattering from the drain pan to the outside by ensuring quick water flow to the drain pump, reducing the likelihood of water entering the indoor space.
Implementation Method 1
In the indoor unit 100, a pressure at the primary side becomes higher than a pressure at the secondary side inside the indoor unit 100 by an air flow w by the fan 102 at an operation time
Implementation Method 2
A bottom of the outer groove and a bottom of the inner groove have respectively inclinations which are descending slopes where the water flows toward the drain pump
Implementation Method 3
water generated on a surface of the heat exchanger 104 on account of condensation of a water component in air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An indoor unit (2) for an air conditioner (1) includes: a drain pan (50) having a drain receiver (52) that is extended along a heat exchanger (10) and that receives, at the lower side of the heat exchanger, water generated on a surface of the heat exchanger (10); and a partition wall (54) that is erected to be in contact with the heat exchanger (10) from a lower side and that partitions the drain receiver (52) into a primary side and a secondary side so as to form an inner groove (56) which receives the water on the primary side and an outer groove (58) which receives the water on the upstream side. A bottom of the outer groove (58) and a bottom of the inner groove (56) have respectively inclinations which are descending slopes where the water flows toward a drain pump (60). An average inclination angle of the bottom of the outer groove (58) is larger than an inclination angle of the bottom of the inner groove (56).