Condensate Drainage Assembly for Orientation-Independent Electronics Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensate drainage systems fail to effectively separate and drain condensate from electronic components, leading to corrosion and short circuits, especially when the components are not actively dissipating heat, and often result in damage to adjacent areas due to incomplete drainage.
Innovation Solution
A condensate drain device comprising a heat-conducting element and a housing with condensate drains and a condensation surface, which directs condensation away from the component and ensures drainage independent of spatial orientation, using a funnel-shaped condensate chamber and guide channels to manage condensate flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a potting compound is used to encapsulate the component, then condensation is redirected away from the component surface, but the condensate accumulates and causes damage to adjacent areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the condensate from the encapsulation structure by providing dedicated drainage pathways (through-holes and grooves) that lead condensate away from the component and into a collection area, preventing accumulation and damage to adjacent areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary drainage system consisting of the housing, through-holes, and grooves that mediates between the condensation surface and the external environment, controlling condensate flow and preventing uncontrolled damage
2Reliability
If conventional condensate drainage systems are used, then some condensate is drained, but drainage is dependent on spatial orientation and incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal drainage system that functions effectively in any spatial orientation by providing multiple drainage pathways (through-holes at different locations and orientations, and grooves) that ensure complete condensate drainage regardless of how the component is positioned
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the drainage function into multiple independent pathways (multiple through-holes at different positions and orientations, and separate grooves) so that at least one pathway remains effective in any given spatial orientation, ensuring reliable drainage
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 the component surface by redirecting it to a designated area, ensuring reliable drainage regardless of orientation, thereby preventing corrosion and short circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the heat-conducting element is designed to transfer any cold that would cause condensation on the surface of the component to the condensation area
Implementation Method 2
condensation occurs not on the surface of the component, but on the condensation area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a condensate drain device (1) for draining condensate from at least one cooled component (2), which is in particular cooled electronics and which has a surface (3) on which condensate can form, wherein the condensate drain device (1) has a heat conducting element (10) with a condensation surface (11) which is configured to at least partially cover the surface (3) of the at least one component (2) and to transfer a cold leading to condensation on the surface (3) of the at least one component (2) to the condensation surface (10), further comprising a housing (20) with at least one condensate drain (21, 22, 23) and/or a condensate chamber (24) for collecting condensate forming on the condensation surface (11), wherein the at least one condensate drain (21, 22,23) each defines at least one predetermined flow path (21S, 22S, 23S1, 23S2, 23S3, 23S4) for draining the condensate from the housing (20) and which is fluidically separated from the at least one component (2).