Evaporator Header Tank Drain Openings for Condensate Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporators for car air conditioners face challenges in effectively draining condensed water from recesses, leading to potential accumulation and the propagation of germs that cause offensive odors.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a pair of header tanks with recesses on their outer surfaces, featuring drain openings in the surrounding wall portions to efficiently drain water from these recesses, preventing accumulation and germ propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If recesses are formed on the outer surfaces of header tanks to collect condensed water, then water collection capability is improved, but water accumulation and germ propagation occur due to inadequate drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drainage function from the header tank structure by forming drain openings in the wall portions surrounding the recesses. This allows condensed water collected in the recesses to be actively removed through the drain openings, preventing water accumulation and the associated harmful effects of germ propagation and odors.
2Ease of operation
If drain openings are formed in the wall portions surrounding recesses, then water drainage is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning drain openings in specific regions of the wall portions surrounding the recesses. The openings are located to optimize drainage efficiency while minimizing impact on the overall structural integrity of the header tank. The local modification is confined to the area where drainage is most needed, preserving the strength of the main structural components.
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 solution ensures that condensed water is effectively drained, preventing the growth of germs and associated odors, thereby maintaining a clean and functional evaporator system.
Implementation Method 1
A drain opening for draining water from the recess is formed in a lower portion of a wall portion of the header tank which surrounds the recess
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporator has a first longitudinal direction and includes first and second header tanks. The first header tank includes a first surrounding wall projecting from at least one of a first end portion and a second end portion along a first longitudinal direction to define a first recess to surround the first recess at at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion. The first surrounding wall has at least one first drain opening to drain water from the first recess. The second header tank has a second longitudinal direction and is disposed apart from the first header tank so that the first longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal direction. The second header tank has a second surrounding wall having at least one second drain opening to drain water from the second recess.