Dehumidifier Control Box Cooling Using Segmented Airflow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidifiers lack a separate cooling passage structure to effectively cool electrical components that generate heat, leading to a high risk of overheating the control box.
Innovation Solution
The dehumidifier design includes an external air intake on one side, a case with a suction grille, a top cover with discharge ports, a drain pan, a water tank, a compressor, a fan module, a condenser, an evaporator, and a control box configuration that allows indoor air to cool the control box by flowing upward and absorbing heat, thereby preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrical components are installed inside the control box, then the control box can be compact and integrated, but the control box is at high risk of overheating due to lack of separate cooling passage
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the control box is segmented into a storage chamber for electrical components and a cooling passage. The partition wall separates these two functional zones, allowing the components to be stored in one section while the other section serves as a dedicated cooling channel for airflow, thus resolving the conflict between integration and cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that creates a dedicated cooling passage between the electrical components and the external environment. This partition wall with airflow introduction holes and discharge holes establishes a controlled cooling path that allows heat dissipation without compromising the integrated design
2Reliability
If a separate cooling passage structure is added to cool the control box, then overheating risk is reduced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall serves multiple functions: it separates the storage chamber from the cooling passage, provides structural support, and acts as a heat dissipation conduit. By making the partition wall multi-functional, the cooling system is achieved without adding separate dedicated cooling components, thus maintaining design simplicity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling passage is merged with the structural partition wall of the control box rather than being a separate component. The partition wall simultaneously serves as both a structural element and a cooling channel, combining structural and thermal management functions into a single integrated structure
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
This configuration effectively cools the control box components, preventing overheating and ensuring stable operation by using indoor air to manage heat generated by electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
indoor air to cool the control box by flowing upward and absorbing heat
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant cycle is installed inside of the dehumidifier, air suctioned in by a fan passes through an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
air suctioned in by a fan passes through an evaporator to condense moisture contained in the air
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier is provided that may include a base with an external air intake on one side thereof; a case disposed on an upper surface of the base and having a suction grille formed on a rear surface thereof; a top cover disposed on an upper surface of the case and having a discharge port; a discharge cover that opens and closes the discharge port; a drain pan including a first portion that extends laterally to divide an internal space of the case into an upper space and a lower space, and a second portion that extends from a lower surface of the first portion and disposed on the base; a water tank disposed on the upper surface of the base and that stores condensed water generated during a dehumidification process; a compressor disposed on the upper surface of the base spaced apart from the water tank; a fan module disposed on the first portion and having an outlet that communicates with the discharge port of the top cover; a condenser mounted on the first portion at an intake side of the fan module; an evaporator mounted on the first portion behind the condenser; and a control box coupled to the second portion and disposed directly above the external air intake. The fan module may include a fan housing disposed on the first portion, and a fan accommodated in the fan housing. A dripping hole may be formed in the fan housing.