Condensate Drain Housing for Cooled Electronics Orientation Independence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensate draining solutions fail to completely separate condensate from components, leading to corrosion and short circuits, especially when components are not actively dissipating heat, and do not allow for independent discharge regardless of spatial orientation.
Innovation Solution
A condensate draining device with a heat conducting element made from non-conductive material that directs condensation to a defined condensation surface, where condensate is collected and drained through a housing with multiple condensate drains, ensuring fluidic separation and protection from the component, allowing for installation in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the component is cooled by water cooling, then the component is cooled effectively, but condensation occurs on the component surface causing corrosion and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the component surface into two functional zones: a condensation-active surface area where condensation is intentionally allowed to form, and a condensation-free surface area that remains protected. This segmentation is achieved through the housing structure that creates a condensate drain path separating these regions, preventing condensation damage while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the harmful condensation phenomenon from the protected component surface and relocates it to a designated condensation surface. By providing a separate condensate drain path that leads away from the component, the harmful condensate is removed from the vicinity of the component, preventing corrosion and short circuits.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the component is encapsulated with potting compound, then condensation is prevented on the component surface, but condensate accumulates in the potting compound causing defects and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure between the component and the environment. It provides a controlled interface that allows condensation to form on the condensation surface while directing condensate through a dedicated drain path, preventing condensate accumulation that would otherwise damage adjacent regions or the component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts condensate from the housing interior through dedicated condensate drains, removing the harmful accumulation that would occur with encapsulation. The drain paths are specifically designed to lead condensate away from the component and adjacent regions, maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If a condensate drain is provided, then condensate can be discharged, but the drainage depends on spatial orientation limiting installation flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed with universal functionality to handle condensate drainage in multiple spatial orientations. The condensate drain paths are configured to be effective regardless of how the device is positioned, allowing the same housing design to be used in various installation scenarios without compromising drainage reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses spatial orientation limitations by designing condensate drain paths that operate effectively in multiple dimensions and orientations. The housing geometry and drain positioning are configured to maintain drainage functionality whether the device is mounted vertically, horizontally, or at various angles, expanding installation versatility.
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
Prevents condensation on components, thereby preventing corrosion and short circuits, and ensures reliable condensate drainage regardless of the component's spatial orientation, protecting the electronics from damage.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conducting element is designed to transfer cold resulting in condensation on the surface of the component to the condensation surface
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a condensate draining device for discharging condensate from at least one cooled component, which is in particular a cooled electronic system and has a surface on which condensate formation can occur, wherein the condensate draining device has a heat conducting element which has a condensation surface and which is designed to at least partially cover the surface of the at least one component and to transfer a cold causing condensation on the surface of the at least one component to the condensation surface, further having a housing with at least one condensate drain and/or a condensate chamber for collecting a condensate forming on the condensation surface, wherein the at least one condensate drain determines in each case at least one predetermined flow path which is fluidically separated from the at least one component for draining off the condensate from the housing.