Dehumidifier Drain Pan Design to Reduce Pump Connection Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dehumidifiers with branch conduits and drain pumps often experience water leakage at connection points, contaminating the device and requiring additional components like check valves and plugs, leading to usability issues if parts are lost.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidifier design featuring a bucket with a drain pan and a pump system where the outer tube is connected to the pump water outlet line within the drain conduit, minimizing leakage and eliminating the need for check valves and separate plugs by directing any leakage outside the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a branch conduit and drain pump are added to enable automatic draining, then the dehumidifier can drain condensed water automatically, but the complexity of the device increases and leakage risk at connection points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge conduit is integrated directly into the drain pan structure, eliminating the need for separate branch conduits and their connection points. This merging of components reduces structural complexity while maintaining automatic draining capability through the pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pan serves multiple functions: it collects condensed water, houses the discharge conduit, and integrates the pump system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components like check valves and plugs, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If check valves and plugs are installed in the discharge conduit, then water leakage is prevented, but the number of parts increases and usability decreases if parts are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge conduit is designed as an integrated structure with the drain pan, eliminating the need for separate check valves and plugs. The conduit itself is formed as a unified component that prevents leakage without requiring additional parts that could be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge conduit structure provides its own leakage prevention through its integrated design, eliminating the need for separate protective components. The system is self-sufficient in preventing water leakage without requiring additional valves or plugs.
3Productivity
If the discharge conduit is connected to the lower portion of the reservoir, then condensed water can be drained effectively, but additional components like plugs and check valves are required
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge conduit is integrated into the drain pan structure at the lower portion, combining the draining function with the collection structure. This eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining effective gravity-assisted draining to the pump inlet.
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 design effectively drains condensed water without contaminating the dehumidifier, reduces component count, and prevents device malfunction due to lost parts, ensuring clean maintenance and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a drain pump may be mounted on the water outlet line to drain the condensed water through the water outlet line when the drain pump is driven
Implementation Method 2
a dehumidifier may dehumidify an indoor space using a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier is provided that may include a bucket; a drain pan including a drain passage configured to guide condensed water dropped from an evaporator to the bucket; a pump; a pump water inlet line connected to the pump, the pump water inlet line being configured to guide the condensed water in the bucket to the pump; a pump water outlet line connected to the pump, the pump water outlet line being provided with an outlet installed in the drain passage or disposed above the bucket, and an outer tube connected to the pump water outlet line in the drain passage or above the bucket.