Drainage system for a dehumidification system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dehumidification systems are inefficient in increasing water removal capacity, particularly in applications like fire and flood restoration, where high air flow can result in water droplets being reabsorbed into the air stream, reducing system performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
The dehumidification system incorporates a primary drain pan with raised ribs and secondary drain pans with contoured downspouts, which create localized regions of decreased air velocity, allowing water droplets to adhere and prevent reabsorption into the air stream, thereby enhancing water removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air flow is increased through the dehumidification system, then water removal capacity is improved, but water droplets are reabsorbed into the air stream reducing system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is segmented into multiple zones using raised ribs that create separate regions: a first region for water collection and a second region for air flow. This segmentation prevents water droplets in the high-velocity air stream from being reabsorbed, allowing increased air flow while maintaining dehumidification efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the drain pan are given different functions: the first region (below the evaporator) collects water droplets, while the second region (through which air flows) has raised ribs that create localized barriers. This local differentiation allows the system to handle high air flow rates without reabsorbing water, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
2Reliability
If raised ribs are added to the drain pan to block air flow and prevent water reabsorption, then system efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire drain pan complex, only specific localized regions include raised ribs. These ribs are positioned strategically to create barriers where needed (at the boundary between water collection and air flow regions) while leaving other areas simple and open, thus improving efficiency without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent water formation or reduce air flow, the invention inverts the approach by allowing high air flow and water formation, then using simple raised ribs to redirect and separate them. This inversion simplifies the overall system while maintaining efficiency
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 improves the water removal capacity and efficiency of the dehumidification system by preventing water droplets from being entrained in the air stream, allowing for higher air flow and better performance in dehumidification processes.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more raised ribs are configured to partially block air flowing across the primary drain pan as the air flows from the heat exchanger into the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
This allows water droplets to adhere to the contoured end of the downspout through surface tension, drop into the primary drain pan, and ultimately flow into a drainage outlet
Implementation Method 3
Each downspout is configured to funnel water condensed from the evaporator into an area of the primary drain pan
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier drainage system includes a primary drain pan and a secondary drain pan. The primary drain pan is disposed at least partially below an evaporator. The primary drain pan includes one or more raised ribs that are configured to at least partially block air flowing across the primary drain pan as the air flows into the evaporator. The secondary drain pan is disposed at least partially between the evaporator and the primary drain pan. The secondary drain pan includes one or more downspouts. Each downspout is configured to funnel water condensed from the evaporator into an area of the primary drain pan that is at least partially surrounded by one of the raised ribs.