Indoor Unit Drain Pan Insulation for Side Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning apparatus indoor units do not effectively prevent dew condensation on the side portions of the drain pan, despite measures being taken for the central portion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a recessed portion below the side dew receiving portion of the drain pan and attaching a heat insulating sheet to the side face, creating a hollow air layer for enhanced heat insulation and preventing dew condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat insulation measures are applied to the central portion of the drain pan, then dew condensation is prevented on the central portion, but dew condensation easily occurs on the side portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat insulation measures to both the central portion and side portions of the drain pan, recognizing that different regions have different dew condensation risks. By making the heat insulation coverage comprehensive rather than localized, the patent ensures that all vulnerable areas (both central and side portions) receive appropriate thermal protection, thereby eliminating the imbalance in protection coverage.
2Reliability
If a heat insulating sheet is attached to cover the entire opening of the recessed portion, then a high heat insulating effect is achieved on the side portion, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat insulation solution into two distinct segments: a heat insulating structure for the central portion and a heat insulating sheet for the side portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the central portion uses a structural approach (hollow cross-section with groove), while the side portion uses a simple attachable sheet, thereby managing overall system complexity through modular division.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulating sheet acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the drain pan structure and the requirement for comprehensive heat insulation. Rather than integrating heat insulation directly into the molded drain pan structure, the sheet serves as a separate intermediary component that can be easily attached to the side portion, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired thermal protection.
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 provides a high heat insulating effect on the side portions of the drain pan, effectively preventing dew condensation and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for die casting and simplifying the attachment process.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulating sheet covering an entire opening of the recessed portion
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes: a heat exchanger which generates conditioned air by carrying out heat exchange between refrigerant and indoor air; and a drain pan disposed below a lower end of the heat exchanger to correct dew condensation water. The drain pan includes at a side portion thereof: a side dew receiving portion which receives dew condensation water; and a recessed portion disposed below the side dew receiving portion, the recessed portion being recessed toward an other side portion opposite to the side portion. A side face of the drain pan is provided with a heat insulating sheet covering an entire opening of the recessed portion.