Adjustable Coil Access Transition for Box Evaporator Maintenance

Solution Overview

Problem

Accessing and maintaining box evaporator coils in air conditioning systems is difficult, requiring partial disassembly and reassembly, leading to high costs and premature replacement of coils due to time-consuming maintenance processes.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable transition system with an access panel that securely aligns with the furnace and box housing the coils, allowing in situ access without disassembly, using methods like gluing, welding, or screwing, and optionally featuring a viewing window for access to the coils.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional access methods are used to reach box evaporator coils, then maintenance can be performed, but partial disassembly and reassembly are required which consumes the vast majority of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to box evaporator coilsVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modular components: the furnace, the box housing the evaporator coils, and a new transition component with an integrated access panel. This segmentation allows the access panel to be independently opened and closed without requiring disassembly of the entire system, enabling maintenance personnel to access the coils quickly while maintaining system integrity when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A new transition component with an integrated access panel serves as an intermediary element between the furnace and the box housing the evaporator coils. This intermediary provides a dedicated access pathway to the coils without requiring disassembly of the main system components, thereby reducing maintenance time while maintaining system integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional access methods are used to reach box evaporator coils, then maintenance can be performed, but the time required makes attendant costs undesirable leading to premature replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to box evaporator coilsVSAvoidcost-effectiveness of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modular components: the furnace, the box housing the evaporator coils, and a new transition component with an integrated access panel. This segmentation allows the access panel to be independently opened and closed without requiring disassembly of the entire system, enabling maintenance personnel to access the coils quickly while maintaining system integrity when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A new transition component with an integrated access panel serves as an intermediary element between the furnace and the box housing the evaporator coils. This intermediary provides a dedicated access pathway to the coils without requiring disassembly of the main system components, thereby reducing maintenance time and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9267702B2Adjustable transition for accessing box coils

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 NRCS IP INTERESTS LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed with regard to a transition used in air conditioning systems having box evaporator coils. One embodiment includes a method for accessing box evaporator coils. The method may include opening an access panel located on a transition having a first opened end and a second opened end located opposite of the first opened end, wherein the first opened end securably aligns with an opened end of a furnace, and the second opened end securably aligns with one opened end of a box housing the box evaporator coils. Further, the method may include extending a member through the access panel for interacting with the box evaporator coils.