Air Intake Drainage Layout to Keep Water Out of Recirculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle air conditioning systems fail to effectively drain water that penetrates through the fresh air intake, leading to potential entry into the passenger compartment via the recirculating air intake, and require complex and costly sealing components to prevent this issue.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning system design features a fresh air opening and recirculating air opening aligned vertically, with a drainage area between them to direct penetrating fluid to a receiving area below the recirculating air opening, where it can be collected and drained, using a pan-shaped closing element integrated into the filter housing to prevent fluid from entering the passenger compartment without additional sealing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the fresh air intake and recirculating air intake are placed one above the other, then the air conditioning system can operate with fresh air or recirculating air, but water penetrating through the fresh air intake can directly enter the passenger compartment via the recirculating air intake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair intake operation modesVSAvoidwater penetration into passenger compartment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioning housing is divided into separate drainage areas: a first drainage area for collecting water from the fresh air intake, and a second drainage area for the recirculating air intake. This segmentation prevents water from the fresh air intake from flowing into the recirculating air intake and entering the passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A drainage means is introduced as an intermediary element between the fresh air intake and recirculating air intake. This drainage means actively collects and redirects water away from the recirculating air intake, preventing the harmful effect of water penetration while maintaining the vertical arrangement of air intakes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional sealing elements are added to prevent water from entering the passenger compartment, then water protection is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is designed to be self-service, automatically collecting and draining water away from the recirculating air intake without requiring additional sealing elements. The drainage means utilizes gravity and structural design to prevent water penetration, eliminating the need for complex sealing components and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the air filter is placed in an area where water can move onward, then the air filter is easily accessible for service, but water can reach the air filter and potentially enter the passenger compartment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filter accessibilityVSAvoidwater reaching air filter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into distinct drainage zones that separate the air filter location from water flow paths. The first drainage area collects water from the fresh air intake before it can reach the air filter, while the second drainage area protects the recirculating air intake. This segmentation allows the air filter to remain accessible while preventing water from reaching it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 fluid from entering the passenger compartment, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs by minimizing complex components, and allows for easy air filter replacement without additional sealing elements.

Implementation Method 1

fluid penetrating into the fresh air opening, when flowing over the drainage means, past the recirculating air opening, is directed to a receiving area situated below the recirculating air opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9618219B2Air intake—drainage features

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

An air conditioning system includes an intake housing with a fresh air opening and a recirculation air opening, a filter housing to admit an air filter and a fan housing with a fan for intake by suction of air through the intake housing and directing the air through the filter housing. The fresh air opening and the recirculating air opening are aligned in a common horizontal direction and in a vertical direction one above the other. The recirculating air opening is situated in the gravitational direction beneath the fresh air opening. Between the fresh air opening and the recirculating air opening a separation area is configured, with drainage means in such a way that the fluid penetrating into the fresh air opening, when flowing over the drainage means is directed past the recirculating air opening in a receiving area placed below the recirculating air opening.