Integrated Drain Pan Riser for Faster Air Handler Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary drain pans for air handling units require additional, often dimensionally imprecise support structures, which wastes time and effort for installers as they search for and position these supports to adequately elevate the units.
Innovation Solution
A drain pan with an integrated riser that extends vertically from the base, providing support for the air handling unit, which can be preformed as a unibody structure or include legs in various configurations, and allows for stacking and use of drainage pipes for fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate support structures are used to elevate the air handling unit, then the drain pan can provide secondary drainage protection, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the need to locate and position additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drain pan and support structure (riser) into a single integrated unit. The riser is formed as part of the drain pan structure, eliminating the need for separate support structures. This merging of functions directly resolves the contradiction by providing both drainage protection and support elevation in one component, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated drain pan serves multiple functions: it provides secondary drainage protection, elevates the air handling unit to proper height, and eliminates the need for separate support structures. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to replace what previously required multiple separate elements, resolving the time loss during installation.
2Device complexity
If dimensionally imprecise support structures are used, then the drain pan can be simpler in design, but the installation precision and adequacy of support are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the drain pan and riser into a single integrated structure, the precision requirements are built into the design from the beginning. The riser dimensions are precisely determined during drain pan manufacturing, ensuring consistent and accurate support height without requiring additional precision components or adjustment procedures during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure dimensions and positioning are predetermined and built into the drain pan design before installation. The riser is pre-formed with precise dimensions to provide the exact elevation needed, eliminating the need for on-site measurement and adjustment. This preliminary action ensures manufacturing precision is achieved during production rather than during installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If additional support structures are required, then the drain pan can have a simpler base design, but the overall system complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drain pan base and support structure into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for multiple separate parts (drain pan plus separate risers or supports), thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through single-component production methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain pan for an air handling unit including a base, a lip attached to the base wherein the lip extends substantially vertically from the base, and a riser affixed to the base wherein the riser extends substantially vertically from the base to support the air handling unit. The drain pan may further include a riser that is preformed with the base to form a unibody drain pan.