Air Conditioner Drainage Device for Post-Operation Water Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in efficiently removing water collected in their housings, particularly after operation termination, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential issues.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a drainage device and a controller that, upon compressor stoppage, moves condensed water to a heat exchanger and operates a fan to facilitate drainage during a determined time based on compressor operation, enhancing water removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the air conditioner operates continuously to cool or heat a space, then cooling or heating effectiveness is improved, but condensed water accumulates in the housing base
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device is activated during a predetermined time period immediately after compressor stoppage to remove condensed water before it can accumulate in the base. This preliminary drainage action prevents water accumulation that would otherwise occur as a result of continuous operation during cooling or heating cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational characteristics (compressor run time and stoppage) to trigger the drainage function. The controller automatically activates the drainage device based on compressor operation status without requiring external intervention, making the water removal system self-regulating and integrated with the cooling/heating operation.
2Productivity
If the drainage device operates continuously to remove water, then water removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device operates periodically rather than continuously, specifically activating for a predetermined time period only after compressor stoppage. This periodic operation achieves effective water removal while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the drainage device inactive during normal cooling or heating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is performed as a preliminary action during the transition period after compressor stoppage, removing water before it accumulates. This timing allows the system to achieve water removal efficiency without requiring continuous operation, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous drainage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor stops operation to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but condensed water remains in the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically triggers the drainage device using the compressor stoppage event itself as the activation signal. This self-service mechanism ensures that water removal occurs precisely when the compressor stops, maintaining energy efficiency while preventing water accumulation through automatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors compressor operation status and uses this feedback to determine when to activate the drainage device. When the compressor stops operation, this feedback signal triggers the drainage function, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains both energy efficiency and effective water removal based on actual operational conditions.
4Productivity
If the first fan operates during drainage time to move air, then water evaporation and removal is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is merged with the existing fan operation during the predetermined time period after compressor stoppage. The fan serves dual purposes: maintaining air circulation and facilitating water evaporation from the base. This merging approach improves water removal efficiency without significantly increasing operational complexity, as the fan is already part of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The first fan is given multiple functions: it operates during normal cooling or heating cycles for air circulation and is also utilized during the post-compressor stoppage period to facilitate water evaporation and drainage. This multi-functionality allows the system to improve water removal efficiency while avoiding the need for additional dedicated drainage components, thereby limiting the increase in operational complexity.
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 solution effectively and efficiently removes collected water from the housing, improving operational efficiency and preventing potential issues related to water accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage device configured to move condensed water condensed on the second heat exchanger inside the housing and collected in the base to the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
control the first fan to move air during the drainage time
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger disposed inside the housing and configured to exchange heat with outdoor air, a second heat exchanger disposed inside the housing and configured to exchange heat with indoor air
Implementation Method 4
a first heat exchanger disposed inside the housing and configured to exchange heat with outdoor air, a second heat exchanger disposed inside the housing and configured to exchange heat with indoor air
Implementation Method 5
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant for a heat exchange operation performed by the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
condensed water condensed on the second heat exchanger inside the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an air conditioner and a control method thereof. The air conditioner includes: a housing including a base, a first heat exchanger disposed inside the housing and configured to exchange heat with outdoor air, a second heat exchanger disposed inside the housing and configured to exchange heat with indoor air, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant for a heat exchange operation performed by the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, a first fan disposed inside the housing and configured to move air along a flow path passing through the first heat exchanger, a drainage device configured to move condensed water condensed on the second heat exchanger inside the housing and collected in the base to the first heat exchanger, and a controller including at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to, based on the stop of the operation of the compressor, control the drainage device to move the condensed water collected in the base to the first heat exchanger during a drainage time determined based on an operation time of the compressor, and to control the first fan to move air during the drainage time.