Outdoor Unit Base Leg Layout for Fast Condensate Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor air conditioning units face issues with dew condensation water freezing again on the bottom frame after being dropped from the heat exchanger, leading to inefficient discharge in cold regions.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit incorporates a drainage port in the bottom frame below the heat exchanger, with a U-shaped base leg configuration that prevents water from being obstructed by the upper plate, ensuring prompt discharge and enhanced drainage properties, while maintaining structural support and appearance integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the base leg is configured with a simple U shape, then the manufacturing is easy and structure is simple, but the dew condensation water may be obstructed by the upper plate and not discharged promptly
Solution Approach 1:
The base leg is divided into a first part (lower plate) and a second part (upper plate), with the second part positioned to avoid obstructing the drainage port. This segmentation allows the upper plate to maintain structural support function while not blocking water discharge, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The base leg's upper plate is positioned in a different spatial arrangement relative to the drainage port, specifically avoiding the lower region of the drainage port. This dimensional positioning ensures water can flow through without obstruction while maintaining the simplicity of the U-shaped structure.
2Shape
If the second part of the base leg is formed in a U shape opening inward, then the appearance is improved and water flow is hidden, but the workability of fixing the base leg may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the base leg have different orientations: the second part (upper plate) opens inward for aesthetic purposes, while the first part (lower plate) opens outward for ease of installation. This local differentiation of quality allows each part to optimize for its specific function.
3Productivity
If the upper plate of the second part is positioned to avoid the drainage port, then water discharge is improved, but the support area for the bottom frame is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base leg is segmented into first and second parts, where the second part avoids the drainage port to enable water discharge, while the first part provides alternative support. This segmentation allows the support function to be distributed across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The first part and second part of the base leg work together to provide both support and drainage functions. The first part compensates for the reduced support area by providing additional support coverage, merging the support functions of both parts.
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 solution effectively prevents dew condensation water from freezing again on the bottom frame, ensuring prompt and efficient discharge, thus improving the operational efficiency of the outdoor unit in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
dew condensation water dropped from the heat exchanger flows on the bottom frame before being discharged from the drain holes
Implementation Method 2
dew condensation water generated in the heat exchanger at the time of a heating operation
Implementation Method 3
a defrosting operation of melting and dropping the frozen dew condensation water from the heat exchanger is performed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An outdoor unit capable of promptly discharging dew condensation water dropped from a heat exchanger to an exterior is provided. A drainage port (42, 44) is formed in a bottom frame (26) of an outdoor unit (2) below a heat exchanger (13). A base leg (40) of the bottom frame (26) is formed to have a U shape section by upper plates (51b, 52b) abutted with a lower surface of the bottom frame (26), lower plates (51a, 52a) fixed to an installment surface (G), and standing plates (51c, 52c) connecting the upper plates (51b, 52b) and the lower plates (51a, 52a), and further includes a first part (51) and a second part (52) with respect to the longitudinal direction. The first part (51) is formed to have a U shape section opening outward in the horizontal direction with the lower plate (51a) thereof being fixed to the installment surface (G). The second part (52) is provided at least at a position corresponding to the drainage port (42, 44) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base leg (40), and formed to have a U shape section opening inward in the horizontal direction, the second part having a structure where the upper plate (52b) thereof avoids a lower region of the drainage port (42, 44).