Condensate collecting base member for a heating and cooling unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling units face challenges in compact design due to space constraints in both older and newer buildings, necessitating an efficient and compact solution that can meet heating and cooling requirements in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact heating and cooling unit design incorporating a base member, tube chase, convertible drain, sideways burner box mounting system, removably attachable control panel, and compressor supply plug, allowing for flexible installation and component arrangement to optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heating and cooling units are designed with standard configurations, then they can meet heating and cooling requirements, but they occupy excessive space that is not suitable for buildings with space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and cooling unit is divided into separate functional modules including a burner box module, heat exchanger module, and condensate collecting module. Each module can be independently configured and assembled, allowing the system to maintain full heating and cooling functionality while reducing overall unit volume through optimized spatial arrangement of segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vertical stacking and three-dimensional arrangement of components rather than traditional horizontal expansion. The burner box is positioned above the heat exchanger, and the condensate collecting base extends downward, utilizing vertical space to reduce the unit's footprint while preserving all necessary heating and cooling functions.
2Volume of moving object
If the unit is compacted to reduce space occupation, then space constraints are addressed, but installation and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The compact unit utilizes segmented modular components that can be assembled in a confined space. The burner box, heat exchanger, and condensate collecting base are designed as separate modules that fit together in a compact vertical arrangement, making installation feasible in tight spaces while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are nested within each other to achieve compactness. The heat exchanger is positioned within the space defined by the burner box above and the condensate collecting base below, creating a nested vertical arrangement that maximizes space utilization while keeping installation straightforward through hierarchical component placement.
3Ease of manufacture
If components are arranged in a fixed configuration, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different building configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The unit employs segmented modular components with standardized interfaces that can be manufactured using consistent processes. The burner box, heat exchanger, and condensate collecting base are separate modules that maintain manufacturing simplicity through repetition of standardized parts while allowing flexible arrangement to adapt to different building configurations and space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensate collecting base is designed with universal features including multiple potential drain locations and flexible mounting options that allow the same component to serve different building configurations. The modular design enables the unit to be adapted to various installation environments without requiring custom manufacturing for each application.
4Ease of manufacture
If the condensate collecting base is designed with fixed drain location, then manufacturing is easier, but installation flexibility in constrained spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate collecting base incorporates multiple drain locations with different local qualities or configurations. Each drain location can be selectively activated or connected based on the specific installation requirements, allowing the base to be manufactured with a comprehensive set of options while enabling flexible adaptation to various building configurations through selective usage of specific drain features.
Data Source
AI summary
A base member includes a substantially horizontal main body that supports one or more components of a heating and cooling unit. The main body includes a conditioned space portion about a first side of the main body and a non-conditional space portion about a second side of the main body. A substantially vertical separation wall extends up from the main body and separates the conditioned space portion from the non-conditioned space portion. A lip is formed at least partially about the non-conditioned space portion. At least one drainage hole extends through the non-conditioned space portion. A surface of the non-conditioned space portion is sloped towards the at least one drainage hole. A drain pan is disposed about the conditioned space portion. At least one drainage tube is in fluid communication with the drain pan. A surface of the drain pan is sloped towards the at least one drainage tube.