Drain Pan Cap With Water-Soluble Membrane for Air Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain pan fittings allow unconditioned air and pests to enter buildings through the drain pipe, which negatively impacts energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
A cap with a cylindrical body and a non-planar water-soluble membrane is used to cover the open end of a drain pan fitting, inhibiting air flow when dry but dissolving to allow water drainage when exposed to leaking water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drain pan fitting is used to channel water out of the building, then water drainage function is improved, but unconditioned air and pests can enter the building through the drain pipe
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble membrane is introduced as an intermediary substance within the drain pan fitting. This membrane acts as a temporary barrier that blocks air and pests while allowing water to pass through. When water accumulates in the drain pan, it dissolves the membrane, eliminating the barrier and enabling water drainage. This intermediary element resolves the contradiction by providing conditional blocking - preventing harmful factors during dry periods while permitting water flow when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the membrane's physical state based on water presence. The membrane transitions from an intact barrier state (when dry) to a dissolved state (when exposed to water). This parameter change allows the same structure to serve dual functions: blocking air and pests when no water is present, and allowing water drainage when the membrane dissolves. The key parameter change is the membrane's solubility characteristic.
2Productivity
If the drain pan fitting remains open for water drainage, then water can drain safely, but air flow is unrestricted causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble membrane serves as a temporary intermediary barrier that selectively blocks air flow during dry periods, preventing energy loss from unconditioned air infiltration. When water is present, the membrane dissolves, removing the barrier and allowing water to drain freely. This intermediary mechanism resolves the energy efficiency contradiction by providing conditional air blocking without compromising water drainage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane provides preliminary protection by blocking air and pests before water drainage is needed. The membrane is pre-installed in the drain pan fitting to prevent energy loss during periods when no water is present. When water accumulation occurs, the membrane dissolves automatically, transitioning from a protective barrier to a non-obstructive state, thus preliminarily addressing the energy efficiency issue before drainage becomes necessary.
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
The solution effectively prevents unconditioned air and pests from entering the building while ensuring that leaking water can still drain safely through the drain pan fitting.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane is adapted to dissolve when exposed to water in the drain pan such that water in the drain pan is not inhibited from exiting the drain pan through the through-hole
Implementation Method 2
The non-planar water-soluble membrane is positioned to at least partially obstruct the through-hole when the membrane is intact such that air flow through the through-hole is inhibited
Data Source
AI summary
A cap covers an open end of a drain pan fitting of an appliance drain pan. The cap comprises a cylindrical body and a non-planar water-soluble membrane. The cylindrical body has a first end with a first end opening, a second end with a second end opening, and a longitudinal through-hole extending between the first end opening and the second end opening. The non-planar water-soluble membrane is positioned to at least partially obstruct the through-hole when the membrane is intact such that air flow through the through-hole is inhibited in the absence of water in the drain pan. The membrane is adapted to dissolve when exposed to water in the drain pan such that water in the drain pan is not inhibited from exiting the drain pan through the through-hole.