Dual-Port Drain Gutter Layout for Chiller Overflow Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large foreign substances like fallen leaves can clog the drain hose of a refrigeration apparatus' heat source unit, leading to water accumulation and potential overflow, which can cause damage to the compressor and electric components.
Innovation Solution
The heat source unit incorporates a drain gutter with a main drain port at its deepest end and a secondary drain port at its shallowest end, allowing water to drain externally even if the main port is clogged, and features a guide portion to prevent overflow and clogging, with the secondary drain port activated before the water level reaches the main port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single drain port is used in the drain gutter, then the structure is simple, but foreign substances can clog the drain port causing water overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The drain gutter is divided into multiple drainage zones with a first drain port at the deep end and a second drain port at the shallow end. This segmentation allows water to drain through different paths depending on the water level, preventing clogging by foreign substances from blocking the entire drainage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a depth dimension variation in the drain gutter, creating different drainage levels. The first drain port is positioned at the deepest point while the second drain port is at a shallower level, enabling multi-level drainage that accommodates varying water volumes and prevents overflow.
2Reliability
If the drain gutter is made deeper to accommodate more water, then overflow is prevented, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a single deep drain gutter, the patent segments the drainage function into two separate drain ports at different depth levels. This allows the drain gutter to effectively handle larger water volumes without increasing its overall depth, as water can drain through the second port before filling to the first port's level.
3Productivity
If the main drain port is positioned at the deepest point, then drainage efficiency is maximized, but clogging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into two functional zones: the first drain port at the deepest point for efficient drainage of large water volumes, and the second drain port at a shallower level as a backup pathway. This segmentation ensures that if the first port becomes clogged, the second port can still drain water, maintaining system reliability.
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 prevents water overflow and ensures reliable drainage, protecting the compressor and electric components from moisture damage, thereby enhancing the reliability of the heat source unit.
Implementation Method 1
In the heat exchanger serving as an evaporator, water vapor in the air is condensed
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger (21, 22) which allows a refrigerant to exchange heat with air
Implementation Method 3
A main drain port (81) is formed at an end portion of the drain gutter (70) where the depth of the drain gutter (70) is deepest, and the main drain port (81) is intended to drain water in the drain gutter (70) to an outside of the machine chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A chiller unit (1), which is a heat source unit, includes devices, such as a compressor and an electric component box in a machine chamber (31A to 31D) in a lower portion thereof, and a heat exchanger (21) in an air passage (32A to 32D) in an upper portion thereof. A drain pan (60) is disposed under the heat exchanger (21), and a drain gutter (70) is disposed under the outflow port (62) of the drain pan (60). The drain gutter (70) includes a main drain port (81) at its end portion where the depth of the drain gutter (70) is deepest, and a secondary drain port (83) at its end portion where the depth of the drain gutter (70) is shallowest. The drain gutter (70) has a guide portion (84), the end of which protrudes to the outside of the casing (30). This configuration contributes to preventing failure of the devices caused by the overflow water from the drain pan, and improves the reliability of the heat source unit.