Air Conditioner Drain Pan Side Insulation to Prevent Dew Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dew condensation frequently occurs at the side portion of the drain pan in air-conditioning apparatuses, as existing countermeasures only address the central portion, leaving the sides vulnerable to condensation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a recessed portion below the side dew receiving portion of the drain pan, covered with a heat insulating sheet, creating a high heat insulating effect by forming a hollow air layer that prevents dew condensation on the side portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat insulating measures are applied only to the central portion of the drain pan, then the central portion is protected from dew condensation, but the side portion remains vulnerable to dew condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat insulating measures specifically to the side portion of the drain pan by forming a recessed portion and providing a heat insulating sheet at the side face, rather than uniformly insulating the entire drain pan. This localized approach addresses the specific problem of side portion dew condensation while avoiding unnecessary complexity in areas already protected or less susceptible to condensation.
2Reliability
If a heat insulating sheet is added to the side face of the drain pan, then dew condensation prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat insulating sheet into the side face of the drain pan by forming a recessed portion that accommodates the sheet, merging the insulation function with the structural design of the drain pan. This integration approach allows the heat insulating sheet to be incorporated without requiring separate mounting structures or complex assembly procedures, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving improved dew condensation prevention.
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 prevents dew condensation on the side portion of the drain pan by enhancing the heat insulating effect, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulating sheet covering an entire opening of the recessed portion
Data Source
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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.